Manipur journalist allegedly abducted at gunpoint hours after TV show debate

A veteran journalist was allegedly abducted at gunpoint from his residence in Manipur’s Imphal West district early Tuesday morning, just hours after he participated in a television debate on the state’s ongoing political crisis.

According to media reports, Laba Yambem, 69, a special correspondent with The Statesman and a former member of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, was reportedly taken by a group of 15 to 20 armed men at around 3:30 am from his home in Uripok Yambem Leikai, according to his elder brother, Yambem Angamba, a retired army major.

The abduction occurred two days after unidentified militants opened fire at his residence and allegedly demanded that he delete a Facebook post in which he reportedly criticised armed groups in Manipur.

Yambem was released later on Tuesday and was handed over to his family by the police at around 1 p.m. His abduction followed his appearance on a television news panel, where he spoke about Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s resignation on Sunday, the political uncertainty in the state, and the potential candidates for the CM position.

The police visited Yambem’s house on Tuesday morning after his family lodged an FIR. Angamba noted that this was not the first attack on his brother and expressed concern over the growing threats to press freedom in Manipur.

The incident comes amid a deepening political crisis in the state following Biren Singh’s resignation. The BJP is currently searching for a consensus candidate to replace him and prevent the imposition of President’s Rule in the conflict-hit region.