Veteran journalist Yambem Laba abducted by gunmen hours after TV talk show, released

Guwahati: Unidentified militants abducted senior journalist Laba Yambem at gunpoint from his residence in Manipur's Imphal West district at around 3.30 am on Tuesday.

He, however, was released later and reached home at around 1 pm, his family members said.

Yambem was abducted hours after he participated in a television talk show in which he reportedly spoke against an insurgent group and the present political crisis in Manipur after CM Biren Singh's resignation on Sunday, his elder brother, Yambem Angamba, a retired army major, told DH at around 11.30 am

Laba, 69, is a special correspondent with Statesman, a national English daily. He was abducted by a group of 15 to 20 gunmen and was taken to an undisclosed location, Angamba said.

The abduction came two days after militants fired several rounds at his residence and allegedly asked him to delete a post on Facebook, in which he reportedly criticised armed groups in Manipur.

Laba is a former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission.

Angamba said that Laba came back home at Uripok Yambem Leikai at around 9pm after taking part in a talk show of a news channel. "Probably those who abducted him are unhappy with what he said. But all he said was in line with journalists ethics and journalists have the right to write and speak on issues concerning the society and the nation. Police visited his house on Tuesday morning after the family lodged an FIR, he said.

Sources said the senior journalist was forced to make an apology to the insurgent group, after which he was released. This, however, could not be verified with his family.

"His house was also attacked in the past too. It seems some elements in Manipur do not want journalists to work freely and fairly," Angamba further said.