The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Front Line are pleased to inform you of the release of Mr. Jiten Yumnam and seven other persons from custody in Manipur state, India. The administration released the detainees on 7 January.
Jiten is a human rights defender and freelance journalist working in the Indian state of Manipur. On September 14, 2009 the Manipur State Police Commando Unit arrested Jiten along with eight other persons. For further information regarding the case please see Urgent Appeals released by the Asian Human Rights Commission and the Front Line.
The series of events that culminated in the arrest and detention had invoked worldwide condemnation against the Manipur state administration. It is widely believed that the arrest was to end a mass protest going on in the state against the extrajudicial execution of two persons on July 23, 2009. For further information concerning the incident please see AHRC-UAC-098-2009.
Before releasing the detainees, the government dropped the charges against them. In the meanwhile an investigation is ordered into the 23 July murder. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will investigate the case.
The AHRC and the Front Line are monitoring the developments in Manipur, in particular the investigation into the 23 July incident, and the security of human rights defenders like Jiten who were part of the mass protest.
