Manipur Journalist Abducted, Freed After Apology to Armed Group

Imphal: On Tuesday morning, an armed group is said to have abducted a journalist from Manipur, who was later freed after promising to stop calling them a “surrendered group.” Journalist Yambem Laba’s family has said that during the resignation of Biren Singh as Chief Minister, he made some utterances during a media engagement in a local television channel which required further explanation. 

Officials claimed that a group of armed assailants arrived in Imphal West district and approached Laba's house around 3 a.m. Laba is said to have been taken against his will on the pretext of accompanying them. Reports suggest that he is now working with The Statesman Newspaper and conducted a press conference from a secret location alongside a few other journalists.

When responding, Laba remarked, “Recently, I attempted to contact the UNLF which had accepted a ceasefire with the Center as a ‘surrendered group’ which is a mistake on my part and I wish to withdraw that statement. I had also accused some armed men who (previously) came to my house as UNLF (Pambei) group members. They never self-identified as such. For this particular accusation, I also withdraw and admit my wrongs.” 

Led by Kh Pambei, a faction of the UNLF was formed by the Imphal Valley based militant group which on 29 November 2023 entered into a ceasefire with the government and agreed to lay down their arms. Laba returned to his residence after he went to file a report at a police station in the Imphal center and, according to authorities, was back shortly after the press conference.

Earlier in the day, Laba’s elder brother Yambem Angamba relayed to the reporters, “He (Laba) did discuss the current phase of political turmoil and its ramifications vis-a-vis the CM Biren Singh’s resignation and also the possible CM pick. Police arrived at his residence on Tuesday morning after the family had filed an FIR (in relation to the kidnapping).”  

Amid ongoing dissatisfaction within the state BJP and demands for a new leader, Singh N Biren submitted his resignation as the chief minister of Manipur to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday. The governor accepted the resignation alongside that of his council of ministers, but requested that he continue to hold office until other arrangements were put in place.  

Ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities has plagued Manipur since May 2023, resulting in the death of more than 250 people and forcibly displacing thousands of people from their homes.