An Imphal-based journalist, Kishorechandra Wangkhem, was arrested earlier this week under the National Security Act (NSA) for posting a video on social media criticising the BJP-led state government. In the video, Wangkhem slammed Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for linking ‘Manipuri nationalism’ with the patriotism of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, one of the leading figures of the 1857 uprising against the British.

The state government had organised a function on 19 November to mark the birth anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai, drawing flak from local organisations as she had no connection with Manipur. The video shows him hurling abuses in Meitei language at the BJP government and the RSS for organising the event. He also challenged the state government to arrest him if it can for opposing it.

On Friday, local residents took part in a sit-in protest in the Keishamthong area of Imphal calling Wangkhem’s arrest demanding his release and calling his arrest an abuse of human rights.