Scribes surrender I-cards to govt
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 27 2009: State journalists today surrendered their identity cards issued by the state Departement of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur registering strong protest over the government's indifference to the demands of the journalists.

The journalists under the banner of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union are demanding appropriate action against those police commandos involved in the assault and humiliation of two reporters on the night of October 10 last.

The journalists also decided to intensify their protest agitation if the state government fails to respond even after surrendering I-cards.

They will also surrender the Manipur Press Club building that had been given to the journalists by the state government.

Besides, AMWJU had already decided to boycott the state Information and Public Relation Day on November 1 .

A journalist puts his identity card issued by DIPR on the table of Director T Sitlhou

Mention may be made that demanding appropriate action against the police commandos involved in the assault of two reporters while returning home after duty of the day, AMWJU has been boycotting the Chief Minister, his council of ministers and coverage of government related activities since October 11 .

A large number of journalists led by AMWJU's vice president, Khogendra Khomdram, editor of Sangai Express (Manipuri) converged at the office of the DIPR at MSRTC complex here and submitted the I-cards to director T Sitlhou, who refused to accept.

Despite his strong refusal and appeal to reconsider the decision, the journalists dropped their I-cards on his table.

The Director appealed to the scribes not to surrender the I-cards, and attend the Information and Public Relations Day stating that the day has been observed by the government in honour of the services of the media persons.

In reply to the Director's request, A Mobi, spokesperson of the scribes, said that the journalists are no longer respected by the government.

Even as the journalists are facing harrassment from the security forces, the government has remained as a silent spectator.

"This is a kind of discrimination to the journalists.

We can not tolerate this treatment.

We will stand by the decision of the Union," Mobi told Director Sitlhou.

The Director said that he could not accept the I-cards and got up from his chair and left his office hurriedly.

The journalists then continued to drop the I-cards on his table.

A total of 126 scribes surrendered their I-cards issued by the DIPR.

The DIPR had issued I-cards to 201 journalists of the state including accredited I-cards.

The president of AMWJU, S Hemanta was absent as he was out of station.