Human rights defenders Thiyam Dinesh, Liklabam Tompok, S Nando and Chungjel Koireng, civil society activists with All Manipur United Committee Organisation - AMUCO, have been released from detention on 29 September 2009 after being granted bail against a surety bond of 50,000 Indian Rupees (approx. €720) each. The activists had been arrested by police commandos on 14 September 2009 and were remanded in police custody for 15 days after appearing before the court on 15 September. The arrests took place in connection with ongoing civil protests against summary executions by the police in Manipur.

Three other AMUCO human rights defenders, Amom Soken, Irom Brojen, and Taorem Ramananda remain in detention under the National Security Act (NSA) after the court hearing of the 29 September. They had been arrested along with their colleagues on 14 September. In addition, Yumnam Jiten of the NGO Citizens Concern for Dams and Development – CCDD remains in detention. Police originally denied reports of Yumnam Jiten's arrest on 14 September, and he was believed to have been ill treated whilst in custody.

All eight activists had been charged under section 121/121-A Indian Penal Code, which deals with “attempting to wage war” and “conspiring to commit offences against the state”. This was read along with section 16/18/39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section O of the Official Secret Act which deals with “unlawful acts of supporting or motivating insurgents.” Front Line previously raised the case of human rights defenders in Manipur on 20 August and 18 September 2009 following civil protests.

Click on the following links to access the original august Front Line Appeal and september appeal.