Imphal, August 05: Five days after suspending publications since August 1, in protest against the threat and intimidations imposed on the media in the State, the scribes have returned to work and Imphal based newspapers will hit the news stand from tomorrow (Aug 6).In a statement, the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union stated that the decision to call off the stir and commence publication of newspapers was taken after both the factions of the PREPAK tendered their apologies for the threats imposed on the media earlier.

The two factions also pledged that such threats will not be repeated in the future.

Spelling out the reasons for suspending the publications of the news papers as well as going off the air by the electronic media, AMWJU said that a statement issued by the publicity and propaganda and finance secretary Chinglemba Mangang was stopped by the other faction from being published.

On the other hand the faction to which Chinglemba Mangang belongs to came out with the directive that their statement should be published.

As the tussle between the factions was going on, the Home Department of the outfit (the faction opposed to Chinglemba Mangang) presented a wrapped bomb at the office of The Sangai Express.

Other than this the cadres of the other faction (Chinglemba Mangang) earlier threatened the offices of some other newspaper establishments.

Outraged by the threats and intimidations, the journalists fraternity of the State staged a dharna at Keishampat junction from August 1 to 3.The Manipur Hills Journalists Union also extended their solidarity to the stir launched by AMWJU at Imphal and the Union has thanked them and all others who extended their co-operation to the journalists during the trying time.

Appealing to all concerned not to interfere in the working of the journalists, the statement said that a decision has also been taken not to publish any factional propaganda and news releases in future.

On the other hand, the journalist fraternity has also taken the order issued by the Principal Secretary (Home) on August 2 very seriously.

Making its stand clear, AMWJU said that the order is nothing but an effort to gag the mouth of the press and added that it should be withdrawn.

In case the Government refuses to withdraw the order, then the media organisations will launch a series of agitation for which everything is in place.

The Union also appealed to all concerned not to interfere with the working of the journalists and instead help the media in presenting the true and correct reports without any outside interference and diktats.

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