Kishorchandra Wangkhem @ Wangkhemcha Wangthoi, 41, who was earlier detained under the National Security Act in 2018, was arrested again on Tuesday for a communally derogatory remark against the Maram Tribe on his Facebook post.
As soon as his anticipatory bail was rejected by Session Judge, Senapati on September 28, police arrested him on Tuesday morning in connection with FIR registered following a complaint by the Maram Women Union to Senapati police station under section 124A/153A/505 IPC and 3(1)(r)SC and ST POA Act, 1989.
On his Facebook page, he posted “Wangkhei AC da Tribal Voter Yamna Lei, Nupi atombi (Meitei) na nupi ahal (Maram) da ‘Haothu Haonubi’ hairadi vote khomdokloidra”?
Kishorchandra was produced before Session Judge (SC&ST POA), Senapati and remanded to five days police custody till October 3.
The Maram Women Union lodged a complaint over the Facebook post. The complaint stated that a person called Wangkhemcha Wangthoi posted a communally derogatory remark against the Maram tribe. In his post he termed Maram women as “Haothu Haonubi”. His act is intentionally targeted at Maram tribe women to insult and humiliate tribal women in general and Maram women in particular. His act caused alarm and feeling of insecurity among the Maram tribal women and is an attempt to humiliate the Maram tribe community. The post can cause communal disharmony, it said.
The Maram Women Union demanded the state government to take action against him for his racist remark. The Union has also warned that it will be forced to take befitting action if the government fails to take action against him and the Union shall not be held responsible for the consequences.
Wangkhemcha Wangthoi was granted anticipatory bail on September 14 by Session Judge, Senapati.
While he was in anticipatory bail, he again posted another post stating “I will make my point clear to the Maram Women Union. I won’t run away but Mr cheap you don’t need to raise your gun now.”
Police prayed for five days police custody for a smooth and thorough investigation. And PP, L Danny submitted that the accused admitted the charge levelled against him on interrogation. He was summoned twice but both times the accused failed to present himself before the IO of the case. Therefore, the accused is not cooperating with the investigation agency and continuously evading his presence before the IO of the case.
In view of the circumstances, the PP prayed the court to remand the accused to police custody for the justice, smooth investigation and thorough investigation.
It may be mentioned that president of Maram Women Union, Kanga Regina lodged a written report to OC/SPT-PS stating that a person called Wangkhemcha Wangthoi posted on his Facebook page on September 3, a communally derogatory remark against the Maram tribe.
Subsequently, the OC/SPT-PS registered a regular case under FIR.NO.14(9)2020 SPT-PS U/S 124A/153A/505 IPC & 3(1)(r)SC & ST POA Act, 1989 for investigation.
