Hueiyen Lanpao editor Dhanabir Maibam released on bail

Imphal: The Duty Magistrate, Imphal West, on January 7, released Hueiyen Lanpao editor Maibam Dhanabir on bail with a PR bond of Rs 50,000.
The editor was arrested on January 5 and charged in connection with an FIR registered against him for “promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, wrongful communication of information under the Official Secrets Act, 1923″. He was remanded in police custody for three days until January.”
The investigating officer of the case said that on January 4, a front-page story appeared in the Hueiyen Lanpao newspaper, which stated that “special commandos in Moreh will release 50,000 rounds of ammunition to carry out their duties efficiently.”
The court also observed that such news could incite any section of the public to commit crimes against the state or against public peace and the investigating officer of the case sought judicial remand.
The editor’s counsel prayed for the release of Dhanabir Maibam on bail while arguing the appearance of the investigating officer. After hearing the arguments, the court granted bail to the editor.
The Congress strongly condemned the alleged arrest of two local newspaper editors in Manipur on Sunday and demanded their immediate release, accusing the Modi government and the state of a “double-engine attack” by the Manipur administration.
In a statement, Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said that in another crackdown on press freedom, two editors of bilingual newspapers have been arrested by the Manipur government.