True: Manipur journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem has been accused of sedition for suggesting that COVID-19 should be treated with scientifically proven methods.

By: Annie Priya
May 26 2021

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True: Manipur journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem has been accused of sedition for suggesting that COVID-19 should be treated with scientifically proven methods.

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The Verdict True

The National Security Act was slapped before they could complete the formalities of their release, after they were granted bail on May 17.

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The National Security Act was slapped before they could complete the formalities of their release, after they were granted bail on May 17.According to the Times of India, on May 13, 2021, an Imphal-based journalist Kishore Chandra Wangkhemm and social activist Erendro Leichambam were arrested by Manipur police. Its report said they were charged with the National Security Act (NSA) over their posts on social media. According to a report by Hindustan Times, they were arrested for saying "cow urine and dung do not cure COVID-19" in their Facebook posts after the death of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state chief S Tikendra Singh due to the disease. However, the NSA was slapped before they could complete the formalities of their release after an Imphal court on May 17 granted them bail. Under the National Security Act (NSA), the two are likely to face detention for up to a year without trial. Through a Facebook post, Leichombam said, "The cure of corona is not cow dung and cow urine. The cure is science and common sense. Professor Ji RIP." Wangkem had also posted similar content in his local language. The police charged them for causing "enmity, hatred, and ill will to instigate hatred between different communities and classes of people in the state," the TOI report says. The District Magistrate ordered their detention under Section 3 (2) of the National Security Act 1980 until further orders. He has also charged with Therefore, it's true that Journalist KW has been charged for sedition (under section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code) for his social media post criticizing the use of cow urine for treating COVID-19 instead of relying on scientific ways to treat it. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.

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