This is a continuation of a diary that was started early yesterday morning - "
His Holiness arrested".
Thanks to all of you who kept it on the recommended list all day. I hope that you all will stay with the story, as today is a critical day.
Alot is happening now. A recap of the situation and new news follows in the extended body.
Leitanthem Umakant Meitei, human rights activist, spokesperson for Apunba Lup (a coalition of 34 human rights organizations) and General Secretary of the Manipur Threatened Indigenous Peoples Society was arrested yesterday morning in Manipur, India.
At 4am police took Umakanta from his home without an arrest warrant. He was taken to the Imphal West Police Station, where he was beaten, tortured and interrogated. Later in the day, his wife was given an arrest memo, but the memo wrongly said that he was arrested at 9:30am.
I have received reports that Umakanta lost consciousness several times during his interrogation. At some point he was transferred to an undisclosed location.
Umakanta's arrest comes one day after the arrest of Mr. Yengkokpam Langamba Meitei (also known as Thabi Meitei), the publicity secretary of the Manipur Threatened Indigenous Peoples Society, who was abducted from his home by the police and military.
At some time yesterday the two men were brought before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, where they were put in police custody until the end of the month. I am very worried for the health and safety of both men.
This morning protests have begun to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Umakanta and Thabi.
Henry V. Jardine, Consul General of the United States in Kolkata said that he is concerned about human rights violations in Manipur, and that the US would like to see a peace process and political dialogue to resolve issues between the government and the indigenous peoples of Manipur.
Women's groups and civil society organizations have widely condemned the arrests, saying that the two men are "innocent social workers". Hundreds of women who sell their goods in the marketplace staged a sitdown protest, and local shops closed their shutters in condemnation of the arrests. The coalition of human rights organizations Apunba Lup has promised widespread protests if the two are not released.
On August 16 there was a grenade attack on a temple in Manipur that killed five and injured over forty. On August 23rd thousands marched in a demonstration organized by Apunba Lup to condemn the attacks and call for peace in Manipur.
Civil society organizations fear that the police will try to frame the two with crimes that they did not commit, a not uncommon occurence in Manipur.
This is not Umakanta Meitei's first time being abused by the police. On September 9th, 2004 he was beaten and arrested by the military. He was taken to jail, tortured and then released without charges. He is still suffering health problems caused by the ordeal.
Manipur is an area that has been under martial law for over fifty years. The problems there are complex. This diary is about two men who work to protect and promote human rights in an undisclosed location suffering right now.
I don't have time to go into the history or the entire political situation in Manipur right now. If you'd like information about the insurgent groups in the area you can start here
If you'd like to know more about human rights abuses being committed by the army and military in Manipur you can start here, here, and here.
In the meantime,
Please contact the following people and politely express concern for both Leitanthem Umakanta Meitei and Mr. Yengkokpam Langamba Meitei and ask that they be released.
1. Mr. Manmohan Singh
The Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister's Office
Room number 152, South Block
New Delhi
INDIA
Fax: 91 11 23016857
2. Mr. Okram Ibobi Singh
The Chief Minister of Manipur
Chief Minister's Secretriat
Babupara, Imphal, Manipur
INDIA
Fax: 91 385 2221817
Email. cmmani@hub.nic.in
3. Justice Mr. Y. K. Sabharwal
The Chief Justice of India
Through the Office of the Registrar General
Supreme Court of India
1 Tilak Marg, New Delhi
INDIA
Fax: 91 11 23383792
Email: supremecourt@nic.in
4. Mr. Justice A. S. Anand
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission of India
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi-110001
INDIA
Tel: +91 11 23074448
Fax: +91 11 2334 0016
E-mail: chairnhrc@nic.in
5. Mr. L. P. Gonmei
Commissioner, Civil Secretariat
Imphal, Manipur
INDIA
Fax: 91 385 2311793
6. The Chairperson
Manipur State Human Rights Commission
Courts Complex
Lamphelpat, Imphal, Manipur
INDIA
Fax: 91 385 410472
Embassy of India
2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 939-7000, 202.939.9831 202.939.9832
Fax: (202) 265-4351
Embassy Hours: 930 AM - 600 PM
Thank you.