Manipur journalist released after abduction from his home

Press Emblem Campaign condemned the incident, demanded action

IH News Desk

REGIONAL, February 12, 2025: A senior journalist from Manipur Yambem Laba (69) was kidnapped by armed militants from his home in Imphal, the capital of the restive state of Manipur on February 11. He was taken without having the chance to change out of his night clothes.

Later, a video was released showing Laba making a confessional statement regarding an insurgent group. In the video, he admitted to mischaracterising the Pambei faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) as a surrendering group even though they were in a ceasefire with the Union government.

This comment was made during a local television talk show while discussing the ongoing political crisis in Manipur, which has persisted after the resignation of the State Chief Minister N Biren Sing. Laba was released by noon the same day, following a police search operation.

The global media safety organisation, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), condemned the abduction and demanded action into the incident. It emphasised that journalists should be free to express their views, even if critical of the government or militant groups.

Manipur has faced widespread violence with over 250 deaths from different communities and 60,000 displaced residents since May 2023 in two year long ethnic violence.

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