The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Manipur concerning death threats faced by a senior journalist after the journalist spoke against corruption in a televised discussion organised by a local news channel. Mr. Khoirom Loyalakpa is the Editor of a vernacular daily named Naharolgi Thoudang. It is reported that Loyalakpa has been threatened with death for his televised comments at least twice: once from a group of four masked and unknown persons, and later from a group of persons allegedly belonging to an armed militant organisation operating in Manipur, Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-MC).
CASE DETAILS: (Provided by Human Rights Alert, a human rights organisation based in Imphal, Manipur.)
Mr. Khoirom Loyalakpa is the Editor of a vernacular daily in Manipur named Naharolgi Thoudang. The daily was founded in 1996 and reports largely on human rights issues in the state and the region.
On 15 February 2015, Loyalakpa participated in a televised debate broadcast by local television station ISTV. In the programme Loyalakpa spoke against alleged misappropriation of union government funds provided to the Manipur state government. Loyalakpa claimed that officers in the Home Department of the state government have misappropriated large sums of money by way of corruption in the procurement of resources to be supplied to the state police officers. Loyalakpa claimed in the programme that he had information from his sources that persons having political power in the state along with the proprietor of a local hotel and high-ranking police officer were involved in the scam.
On 1 February, at about 10:30 a.m., four men wearing facemasks visited Loyalakpa’s house and enquired whether Loyalakpa was home. Loyalakpa’s house is situated in Kontha Khabam Mayai Leikai, in Imphal. When the men were informed that Loyalakpa was not home, they entered and searched Loyalakpa’s house. The masked men threatened Loyalakpa’s parents that they will finish Loyalakpa off for speaking about corruption on TV. Following this, the masked men left.
Within a few days Loyalakpa received another death threat from persons identifying themselves as representatives of the Kangleipak Communist Party – MC group. This is a splinter faction of the Kangleipak Communist Party, an armed militia group operating in Manipur.
Manipur is a highly militarised state in India. Editors and journalists working in Manipur often receive death threats from state officers and armed militant groups. Often, armed militant groups threaten scribes if they fail to publish reports that the militia wants printed. Whereas, government officers, mostly police officers, politicians in power, officers in the paramilitary, and the military stationed in Manipur threaten scribes if they report extrajudicial execution, corruption in administration, or cases involving abuse of power.
Since 1993, seven scribes have been murdered in Manipur by state and non-state actors. On a daily basis, journalists face threats and intimidation in the state. Often, journalists have to walk a thin line, facing threats from militant organisations demanding publication of their materials and from the state government that has prohibited such publications by all media. The government has often ignored complaints of such threats by the journalists; this has forced journalists to devise their own means to secure protection. While threats and intimidation of journalists is not news in most parts of India, in the state of Manipur such threats have more gravity; the fear of physical harm and even death is palpable owing to the militarisation of the state. This has hurt the quality of journalism in the state, where it has become exceptionally risky to report on state and non-state violence. Journalists that report such cases nonetheless face high risk.
In Loyalakpa’s case, the Editor’s Guild of Manipur has requested the state government to provide protection to Loyalakpa and also to investigate the threat. Loyalakpa has, in the meanwhile, filed a complaint at the Heingang Police Station, Manipur. The police has registered a case, bearing number 17(2) 2015, for offenses punishable under sections 448, 511 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code 1860, and section 25 (1) C of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.
Since 23 February, the state government has posted security officers to provide protection to Editors facing death threats in the state. In fact, there are several editors in addition to Loyalakpa who are being provided with such service. This indicates the exceptional circumstances under which journalists in the state operate. Providing state security officers to Editors, however, also hampers their freedom to operate effectively and report freely.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Please write to the authorities listed below, using the sample letter template to express your concern in this case. The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression requesting for an intervention in this case.
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SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
INDIA: Death threats to senior journalist in Manipur for speaking out against corruption must be investigated
Name of killed victim: Mr. Khoirom Loyalakpa, Kontha Khabam Mayai Leikai, Heingang Police Station, Imphal East District, Manipur state, India
Alleged Perpetrators: Unidentified persons, of which some are reported to be affiliated to armed militia groups operating in Manipur
Date of incident: 17 February 2015
Place of incident: at the victim’s house.
I am writing to express concern, and further request your prompt intervention in the case of death threats faced by the victim in the case, Mr. Khoirom Loyalakpa.
Mr. Khoirom Loyalakpa is the Editor of a vernacular daily in Manipur named Naharolgi Thoudang. The daily was founded in 1996 and reports largely on human rights issues in the state and the region.
On 15 February 2015, Loyalakpa participated in a televised debate broadcast by local television station ISTV. In the programme Loyalakpa spoke against alleged misappropriation of union government funds provided to the Manipur state government. Loyalakpa claimed that officers in the Home Department of the state government have misappropriated large sums of money by way of corruption in the procurement of resources to be supplied to the state police officers. Loyalakpa claimed in the programme that he had information from his sources that persons having political power in the state along with the proprietor of a local hotel and high-ranking police officer were involved in the scam.
On 1 February, at about 10:30 a.m., four men wearing facemasks visited Loyalakpa’s house and enquired whether Loyalakpa was home. Loyalakpa’s house is situated in Kontha Khabam Mayai Leikai, in Imphal. When the men were informed that Loyalakpa was not home, they entered and searched Loyalakpa’s house. The masked men threatened Loyalakpa’s parents that they will finish Loyalakpa off for speaking about corruption on TV. Following this, the masked men left.
Within a few days Loyalakpa received another death threat from persons identifying themselves as representatives of the Kangleipak Communist Party – MC group. This is a splinter faction of the Kangleipak Communist Party, an armed militia group operating in Manipur.
Manipur is a highly militarised state in India. Editors and journalists working in Manipur often receive death threats from state officers and armed militant groups. Often, armed militant groups threaten scribes if they fail to publish reports that the militia wants printed. Whereas, government officers, mostly police officers, politicians in power, officers in the paramilitary, and the military stationed in Manipur threaten scribes if they report extrajudicial execution, corruption in administration, or cases involving abuse of power.
Since 1993, seven scribes have been murdered in Manipur by state and non-state actors. On a daily basis, journalists face threats and intimidation in the state. Often, journalists have to walk a thin line, facing threats from militant organisations demanding publication of their materials and from the state government that has prohibited such publications by all media. The government has often ignored complaints of such threats by the journalists; this has forced journalists to devise their own means to secure protection. While threats and intimidation of journalists is not news in most parts of India, in the state of Manipur such threats have more gravity; the fear of physical harm and even death is palpable owing to the militarisation of the state. This has hurt the quality of journalism in the state, where it has become exceptionally risky to report on state and non-state violence. Journalists that report such cases nonetheless face high risk.
In Loyalakpa’s case, the Editor’s Guild of Manipur has requested the state government to provide protection to Loyalakpa and also to investigate the threat. Loyalakpa has, in the meanwhile, filed a complaint at the Heingang Police Station, Manipur. The police has registered a case, bearing number 17(2) 2015, for offenses punishable under sections 448, 511 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code 1860, and section 25 (1) C of the Indian Arms Act, 1959.
Since 23 February, the state government has posted security officers to provide protection to Editors facing death threats in the state. In fact, there are several editors in addition to Loyalakpa who are being provided with such service. This indicates the exceptional circumstances under which journalists in the state operate. Providing state security officers to Editors, however, also hampers their freedom to operate effectively and report freely.
I therefore request you to:
1. Ensure that a judicial officer records the statements of the victim and the witnesses in the case immediately;
2. That the state government investigate the allegations of corruption that the victim in the case has alleged in the televised programme;
3. That if the accusations are found to be having a legal basis and evidence to be proceeded against government officers, including the officers of the state police, the officers be immediately placed on suspension, and a case registered against them under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988;
4. That the state police protection provided to the victim is extended to his immediate family members, particularly his parents.
Yours sincerely,
——————-
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Anil Kumar Sinha (IPS)
Director, Central Bureau Of Investigation
Plot No 5-B, CGO Complex
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003
INDIA
Email: hozne@cbi.gov.in
Fax: +91 11 24363513
2. Mr. Raj Nath Singh
Union Home Minister
Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block
Central Secretariat, New Delhi – 110001
INDIA
Email: jscpg-mha@nic.in
Fax: +91 11 23092979
3. Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh
Chief Minister of Manipur
Chief Minister’s Secretariat
Babupara, Imphal, Manipur
INDIA
Fax: +91 385 2221817
E-mail: cmmani@hub.nic.in
4. Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of India
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi-110001
INDIA
Fax: +91 11 2334 0016
E-mail: chairnhrc@nic.in
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
