New Delhi: Leichombam Erendro, a political activist based in Manipur who was arrested in May to hatch – to write “cow dung and urine cattle did not work” on Facebook – released from prison on Monday night.
He was released at 16:45 – 15 minutes before the end of the Supreme Court deadline.
Speaking after his release, Mr. Erendro accused the government to try to “silence all the people with the NSA (National Security Law)” and stated “but it won’t work”.
“326 cases of incitement throughout India. Let me tell you something … The Supreme Court came out and said, ‘Why do we use the law of incitement, which is used by the UK to catch freedom fighters. Mahatma Gandhi himself was arrested under the incitement law,” he said.
“I think the government is currently trying to abuse executive power and beyond the constitution … and try to silence everyone. But I don’t think it will succeed. India is a very strong democracy,” Mr. Erendro added.
This morning the Supreme Court rejected the government’s request to postpone hearing and said “Eryendro’s advanced detention, violated violations of the right to life and personal freedom”.
“We have the view that the ongoing detention of the applicant will amount to violations of the right to life and personal freedom based on article 21. We direct it to be released today at 5pm with a personal bond ₹ 1,000,” Judge Bench of Judge Dy Chandrachud and Shah said.
The court order came on the request by Erendro’s father.
