Manipuri journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem released from Shajiwa Central jail

Journalist Kishorechandra Wangkhem was released on Wednesday from Shajiwa Central Jail after being detained for criticizing the state government and making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister N Biren Singh in a social media post.

Wangkhem, detained under the National Security Act (NSA), was released after the Manipur High Court revoked the charges against him. He was warmly welcomed by his wife Ranjita and the counsel S Chittaranjan.

Wangkhem while talking to ANI said: "I am quite happy. I am satisfied with the judgment of the High Court, especially because the court has upheld the right of 'freedom of expression and speech."

"I feel that these days the freedom of speech and expression is suppressing. It is one of the examples to show how the voices are being gagged or suppressed," Wangkhem added.

Wangkhem further said: "The present government must not try to suppress the voice of the people. I have been criticising this government even before they came to power because I belong to a religious minority group."

"The ideology of the RSS and the BJP is a threat to the smaller community. That is why I am criticizing them. Once I was asked to delete my Facebook post and there was an incident when I was thrashed by the BJP MLA's escorts without questioning. So, I will continue to work as a journalist and human rights defender" said Wangkhem.

"In this fight, special credit goes to my wife because she always stood beside me," he added.

Talking to ANI, Wangkhem's wife Ranjita said, "It is a huge relief for me. I don't want to follow this trend again and I want the people to save this freedom of speech and expression."

Babloo Loitongbam, Human Rights Alert, Director told ANI, "I think it's a collective effort of many people, his brave family and the lawyer who represented him. We have raised this issue with the UN, which has made a strong petition to the Government of India."

"We are really happy that in this country the freedom of expression is still respected by the judiciary. We hope this brave fight is not only the success of Kishorechandra, his family and counsel, but it is something that every freedom loving people of this country and across the world should celebrate this," said Loitongbam.