<div dir="ltr">Slammed over the detention of a journalist under NSA for allegedly calling him a 'puppet of Hindutva' recently, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has asserted that those in power cannot be abused publicly.<p>"Be it doctors or politicians--we are here to serve the people. We are not here to take your abuses. If you are a common people and if you think you can say anything to those in power, no you can't. If somebody in power has done any wrong, you can go to the court. But you don't have the right to abuse anyone publicly," Singh said in Imphal, at a function of doctors, on Saturday evening.</p><p>Singh's defence comes days after Kishorechandra Wangbem, a TV journalist was detained for 12 months under NSA, weeks after he had uploaded a video in Facebook in which he had allegedly slammed Singh and the BJP-led government for celebrating birth anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai (Rani of Jhansi), in Manipur. </p><p>Wangkhem, a father of two minor daughters and a desk editor of ISTV, an Imphal-based news channel was first arrested on November 21 on sedition charges for uploading a video in Facebook. He was released on bail on November 26 but was again detained two days later under the NSA.</p><p>Singh said although right of expression was guaranteed under Article 19 (1) of the Constitution, the Article 19 (2) says one has to maintain decency and morality enjoying the former. "There is rule of law in this country and we should respect that," he said at the 29th Northeast Convention of Obstetric and Gynecological Society. Wangbem had earlier moved the union home ministry saying he was detained under NSA for merely criticising the BJP government. He said his detention was a violation of his right of expression guaranteed under Article 19 (1).</p><p>"There may be one or two mistakes by people in power. The other day I have suspended five policemen for a custodial death but that doesn't mean you will abuse them publicly," Singh stressed.</p> </div>
<div dir="ltr">Slammed over the detention of a journalist under NSA for allegedly calling him a 'puppet of Hindutva' recently, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has asserted that those in power cannot be abused publicly.<p>"Be it doctors or politicians--we are here to serve the people. We are not here to take your abuses. If you are a common people and if you think you can say anything to those in power, no you can't. If somebody in power has done any wrong, you can go to the court. But you don't have the right to abuse anyone publicly," Singh said in Imphal, at a function of doctors, on Saturday evening.</p><p>Singh's defence comes days after Kishorechandra Wangbem, a TV journalist was detained for 12 months under NSA, weeks after he had uploaded a video in Facebook in which he had allegedly slammed Singh and the BJP-led government for celebrating birth anniversary of Rani Lakshmibai (Rani of Jhansi), in Manipur. </p><p>Wangkhem, a father of two minor daughters and a desk editor of ISTV, an Imphal-based news channel was first arrested on November 21 on sedition charges for uploading a video in Facebook. He was released on bail on November 26 but was again detained two days later under the NSA.</p><p>Singh said although right of expression was guaranteed under Article 19 (1) of the Constitution, the Article 19 (2) says one has to maintain decency and morality enjoying the former. "There is rule of law in this country and we should respect that," he said at the 29th Northeast Convention of Obstetric and Gynecological Society. Wangbem had earlier moved the union home ministry saying he was detained under NSA for merely criticising the BJP government. He said his detention was a violation of his right of expression guaranteed under Article 19 (1).</p><p>"There may be one or two mistakes by people in power. The other day I have suspended five policemen for a custodial death but that doesn't mean you will abuse them publicly," Singh stressed.</p> </div>