Imphal: A senior journalist from Manipur, Yambem Laba, was reportedly abducted from his home by a group of armed men early on Tuesday.
He was later released after issuing an apology to a banned insurgent group for calling it a “surrendered group.”
Laba’s family revealed that his comments during a media discussion on Monday, which focused on the political situation following the resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh, led to the abduction.
During the discussion, Laba had referred to the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), which had recently entered into a ceasefire agreement with the Indian government, as a “surrendered group.”
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday, a group of armed men arrived at Laba’s home in Uripok, Imphal West district, and forcibly took him away, according to officials.
Later in the day, Laba held a press conference from an undisclosed location, where he retracted his previous statement.
He apologised, saying, “I made a mistake by referring to the UNLF as a surrendered group. I withdraw that statement. I also apologize for alleging that armed individuals who previously came to my residence were from the UNLF (Pambei) group. They never identified themselves as such.”
The UNLF-P, led by Kh Pambei, is a militant group in the Imphal Valley that signed a ceasefire agreement with the government on November 29, 2023, committing to renounce violence.
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After the press conference, Laba returned home after visiting a police station in Imphal, as confirmed by officials.
Earlier in the day, Laba’s elder brother, Yambem Angamba, had spoken to the media, explaining that the comments Laba made about the political crisis and the CM post contenders during a media discussion were linked to the abduction.
The family had filed a police report, and authorities visited their home following the incident.
Since May 2023, Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, resulting in over 250 deaths and thousands displaced.
