IMPHAL, Sep 4 MNS NNN
Scribes staging a sit in protest against threat by militants.
: Hundreds of journalists and newspaper hawkers took out a protest rally in the heart of Imphal on Monday to demonstrate against the diktats of a particular insurgent group issued to the media houses and the newspaper distributors.
A militant outfit has issued diktats to the media houses and the newspaper hawkers as well after the editors refused to publish the outfit’s press statement, which the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) considers as a move against its local adjustment code of conduct.
On Monday, the AMWJU and AMNSDA members numbering about 200 held a protest rally here against the threat by the militant group. The rally started from Manipur Press Club stopped in front of the Chief Minister’s bungalow.
There, a small number of representatives, including the union’s president, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai met Chief Minister O Ibobi. They apprised him about the aggravated situation faced by the media fraternity and newspaper hawkers.
Ibobi assured the team to provide security protection to the scribes and newspaper distributors in the state so that they can perform their duties in an intimidation-free environment, Shyamjai told newsmen after the meeting.
At the same time, the AMWJU, Editors’ Committee, Manipur and AMNSDA have decided to continue protest against the militant’s diktat.
“All activities related to publication of newspapers in the state will be brought to a complete standstill for two days i.e Monday and Tuesday,” AMWJU, president Syamjai informed, adding it was decided during a joint meeting.
“Sit-in protest is being organised against the threat issued to the scribes and newspaper hawkers during the two days,” he further informed.
A sit in against the threat to media persons and distributors organized by AMWJU and editors committee was held in front of Keishampat power house yesterday.
The protesters hold placards which read like respect the freedom of press, don’t threatened press, we want peace etc.
Meanwhile a sit in against the threat to press, distributors was held at Keishampat Lairembi community hall today.
Representatives of various organizations took part in the protest.
The protesters expressed unhappiness over the non-availability of newspapers to the public.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/scribes-protest-threat-by-militants/