criminal case, saying that the case represents a major threat to freedom of expression in the country.

 Meghalaya journalist's criminal case, attack on freedom of expression: Editors Guild
New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India has expressed deep concern over The Shillong Times editor Patricia Mukhim's criminal case, saying that the case represents a major threat to freedom of expression in the country.Mukhim wrote a post on social media in July over a clash between tribal and non-tribal youths, after which a complaint was filed against him.

The Guild issued a statement saying how the various provisions of the law can be used against freedom of expression and freedom of the press, the case of Mukhim exemplifies this.In a statement released on Sunday, the guild said that it is worrying to run a criminal case on the basis of a complaint filed on a social media post written by him on the Padmashri award-winning Shillong Times editor Mukhim.The Guild said, 'Mukhim's case demonstrates a large-scale threat to freedom of expression in India, which operates under a vague framework of law and is often misused by the government and agencies to suppress disagreement. 'Significantly, in July this year, five boys were attacked in the basketball court. After the killers were not known, Mukhim attacked the 'Darbar' (council) of Lavsohatun village via Facebook.

The 'Darbar' or 'Dorbar Shong' is the administrative unit of Khasi villages, which runs the traditional regime. Two groups - tribal and non-tribal - were allegedly involved in this incident. In this case, 11 people were detained by the police and two people were arrested.

A criminal case was filed against a Facebook post written by Patricia Mukheem. A case was registered against them under Section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc.) and other provisions of the IPC.Patricia Mukheem then approached the Meghalaya High Court, who refused to dismiss the FIR lodged against him, stating that the investigating agency should be given the liberty to investigate the case.The court found Mukhim guilty of disturbing communal harmony through Facebook written by him in July.

Let me tell you that on 18 November, Mukheem resigned from the membership of this organization as a protest, citing the silence of the Editors Guild on this matter.He had said that the Editors Guild is completely silent on the refusal of the FIR against him to be quashed by the Meghalaya High Court and blamed him for disturbing communal harmony through Facebook posts.

Mookhim had said, "The Editors Guild kept silence over his case while the statement was issued condemning the arrest of Arnab Goswami despite not being a member of the guild."

 (With input from news agency language)

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