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Journalism of Courage
The Assam Rifles has issued a legal notice to Republican Party of India (Athawale) leader Maheshwar Thounaojam for making “DEROGATORY allegations” against the force in the Manipur conflict and demanding its removal from the state.
In the notice issued on August 18, the Assam Rifles referred to statements made by Thounaojam – national secretary of RPI(A) – during a condolence meeting held in Delhi on June 30.
The statements they have flagged include, “The (Manipur) villagers also reported that the Assam Rifles has been helping the Kuki militants… That means the Assam Rifles has to be removed immediately from Manipur… Does the Assam Rifles have a major role in the violence that has been going on for two months?”
Stating that the statements have “discouraged and demoralised” the force, the notice – issued through Advocate Nitin Khera – demands a formal, written apology from Thounaojam. It also demands that a public apology be issued through prominent media outlets within 15 days of receiving the legal notice, “ensuring” that it receives “similar visibility to the original derogatory remarks”, threatening legal proceedings if it is not done. The notice also demands a payment of Rs 5,100 to cover the cost of the legal notice.
Thounaojam referred to the notice as “undemocratic”.
“I mentioned that the inputs I was referring to was ‘as reported by villagers’. As to the role of the Assam Rifles, it was a question I was asking, not a statement I was making… The statements I had made was not in my political capacity but as a Manipuri… We live in a democratic country and sending a legal notice to an individual like this is wrong. I had gone to Delhi to be a voice,” he said.
