ZPM leader Rodinliana Tochhawng detained by Mizoram Police on charges of attempt to murder and threatening the chief minister. Photo: Sangzuala Hmar

Zoram People’s Movement party activist from Khawzawl village in eastern Mizoram, Rodinliana Tochhawng on Friday filed an FIR against Mizoram home minister R Lalzirliana. Tochhawng, who is the incumbent secretary of ZPM Khawzawl branch, said in the FIR that he was being held wrongfully and charges levelled against him were baseless.

On early August, Rodinliana posted an open letter to the chief minister of Mizoram Lal Thanhawla which the police interpreted as hate letter and charged him of attempt to murder and threatening the chief minister.

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On Thursday the home minister stated at a Congress party rally that one person charged with threatening the chief minister was arrested. The Zoram People’s Movement issued statement that Rodinliana did not threaten the chief minister but wrote certain points he felt the state government should have done more for the people of Mizoram.

“Quantifying my open letter as per the provisions of the Social Media Act 66A of the Indian Constitution and determining my points by the yardstick of Supreme Court ruling, all charges levelled against me were baseless and that it was a mere exercising of my freedom of speech, which is my fundamental right,” Rodinliana Tochhawng said.

Sources from Khawzawl said that he is still in the police custody.

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Sangzuala Hmar is Northeast Now Correspondent in Aizawl. He can be reached at: [email protected]