Image Source: Agencies

The Supreme Court on Monday extended till September 15 its order asking the Manipur police not to take coercive action against four members of the Editors Guild of India (EGI) in two FIRs lodged against them for alleged offences, including two counts of incitement to hatred. communities
A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said it will extend the September 6 order on the editors' guild petition till Friday, when it will hear the case.
Advocate Tushar Mehta, who initially appeared for the state government, said that EGI members may be protected for some time and the matter will be referred to the Manipur High Court like other cases.
Appearing for the EGI, senior activists Kapil Sibal and Shyam Divan opposed the petition and said the matter will be heard in the Supreme Court as the FIRs were filed based on the inquiry report.

"We will deal with it on Friday," the board said, adding that it would demand a response from the state government that day. On September 4, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said a police case had been registered against the President of India and three members of the editors' guild based on a complaint accusing them of trying to incite clashes in the state.
Another FIR with an additional charge of defamation was also registered against four members of the guild.

"Until the next listing, no coercive action will be taken against the (four) petitioners in connection with the FIRs...", the board said on 6.9.