MU's Head of Law Department, Retired Session Judge summoned for promoting hatred between different groups

The Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Churachandpur, summoned Dr. Yumnam Premananda Singh, Head of Department, Department of Law under Manipur University and Noutuneshwari, Retd. Sessions Judge, Government of Manipur, for appearing before the Court on November 9, 2023.

The accused persons were summoned for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. The charges also include offences with intent to incite, or which is likely to incite, any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community.

In the wake of ethnic violence in Manipur between the majority Meiteis and minority Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur, the two accused were charged for offences punishable under sections of 153A/153B/505(1)B & C/505(2) and 506 of Indian Penal Code.

Out of the five accused, the Court said that there is prima facie well established evidence against Dr. Yumnam Premananda and a Retired District and Sessions Judge, Noutuneshwari. Therefore, the Court summoned the duo for appearing before the it in person.

It was revealed in the Court that Dr. Yumnam Premananda Singh. Head of Department, Department of Law, Manipur University, and Aribam Noutuneshwari, Retd. Sessions Judge, Govt. of Manipur, were engaged in a direct call for action to the general public who were not only apart of the programme but also those watching online in social media to blow away all buffer zones, where Indian Army/CAPF were deployed, and kill the Kuki-Zo tribes in a programme held in Imphal in the early part of the ethnic conflict between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities.

The two accused persons also incited the general public to march and storm to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi in traditional combat dress.

Two months ago, Yumnam Premananda Singh had said that if the Meiteis wanted to end the war they should offensively kill all Kuki-Zo people. "If we want to end the war, we should attack and kill all the Kuki-Zo people," he said.

Retired Session Judge, Aribam Noutuneshwori, during a Convention held two months ago, had incited the Meitei women to march towards Kuki inhabited area for violent activities and urged the Meitei men to follow the women.

The ongoing ethnic violence, since it began on May 3, has claimed the lives of more than 175 people and hundreds sustained injuries. More than 60000 people have been internally displaced.