Guwahati: The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has appealed to the Manipur Governor and Chief Minister to review the FIR registered against Naga educator, musician and rights activist Ambrose D. Kamei over his reported social media posts.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, GNF convenor Chuba Ozukum and general secretary Lakpachui Siro said the forum recognised the State’s responsibility to maintain public order and take legal action in cases involving genuine violations.
However, they argued that public statements, including social media posts, should be assessed within the constitutional framework governing freedom of speech and expression, while also considering the circumstances in which such statements were made.
The GNF questioned what it described as the apparent focus on Kamei, particularly in the context of the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur, during which individuals and groups from different communities have made strong and, at times, provocative statements targeting one another as well as governments, security agencies and public institutions.
The forum said the reported involvement of the office of the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Manipur, in pursuing the case raised questions about proportionality, consistency and equal application of the law.
According to the GNF, Kamei is known not only for his work as an educator and musician but also for his public engagement with issues concerning Naga rights and the welfare of the community.
The organisation said Kamei, like other young people living amid the conflict, had expressed strong opinions on issues affecting his community and society. While acknowledging that his views may be disputed or criticised, the GNF maintained that disagreement with political or social opinions should not, by itself, result in criminal proceedings.
The forum also urged the state government to exercise restraint and demonstrate even-handedness amid continuing ethnic divisions, mistrust and political differences in Manipur.
It argued that taking action against one individual while allegedly leaving similar or more inflammatory statements by others unaddressed could create a perception of selective treatment and further deepen mistrust between communities.
The GNF appealed to Governor and Chief Minister to personally examine the circumstances surrounding the FIR and ensure that the matter is dealt with objectively, fairly and in accordance with constitutional principles.
It also questioned whether criminal proceedings were necessary and proportionate in the circumstances, particularly if the case relates primarily to political or social expression.
The forum said that at a time when dialogue and reconciliation remain important in Manipur, the government’s approach towards dissent should help build public confidence rather than contribute to further alienation.
The GNF maintained that democratic institutions are strengthened when citizens are allowed to express, debate and challenge uncomfortable opinions within the boundaries of the law.
It said the handling of Kamei’s case would also have wider implications for perceptions of equal treatment and protection under the law, irrespective of a person’s ethnicity, political position or social standing.
The organisation therefore urged the Governor and Chief Minister to review both the FIR and the circumstances that led to its registration, ensure that criminal law is not applied selectively or disproportionately, and consider appropriate measures to resolve the matter fairly.
The GNF said its appeal was made in the spirit of democratic engagement and expressed hope that intervention by the state’s constitutional authorities would help prevent further escalation, strengthen confidence in the impartiality of the administration and contribute to a more inclusive and peaceful environment in Manipur.