A legal notice has been formally issued by advocate Meihoubam Rakesh on behalf of former acting chairperson MHRC (senior advocate) and chairperson of Taragi Cheisu, Khaidem Mani, to M Bobby Meetei, president of the People’s Alliance for Peace and Progress, Manipur (PAPPM) for a defamatory statements made against Khaidem Mani in a press release issued by PAPPM on September 14, 2024.
According to the legal notice, the press release, which was published in various local dailies including Imphal Free Press and Poknapham on September 15, 2024, included allegations targeting the personal and professional integrity of Khaidem Mani.
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Among the claims made, the press release falsely accused Mani of misleading the public regarding the role of the chief minister in the Unified Command structure in Manipur, and insinuated improper alignment with questionable forces, including the Assam Rifles.
Advocate Rakesh, acting on behalf of Mani, has demanded a public apology and a full retraction of the false allegations within seven days.
“Failure to comply with the notice will result in legal proceedings, including both civil and criminal defamation suits, as well as claims for substantial damages due to the harm caused to Mani’s reputation in the legal community and beyond”, stated in the legal notice.
The legal notice emphasizes the need for responsible public dialogue, especially in the current climate of violence and unrest in Manipur, and calls upon PAPPM to engage in constructive discussions based on facts rather than defamatory rhetoric.
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