Scribes surrender I-cards to DIPR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 27 2009: In continuation of the protest agitation launched by media persons under the aegis of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) against harassment and humiliation of two journalists by a team of Imphal West commandos, media persons affiliated to AMWJU surrendered their identity cards to the Director of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur today.

The commandos even threatened to kill the two journalists by staging a fake encounter.

Even as the State Government was apprised about the matter, the Government has been stubbornly refusing to take any action against the errant commandos.

Journalists surrendering identity cards at the office room of DIPR Director in protest Govt's inaction against rogue police commandos.

Noting uselessness of the identity cards issued by the DIPR as journalists were often subjected to humiliating harassments and physical assualts, a joint meeting of the AMWJU and Editors decided to surrender their identity cards to DIPR.

In accordance to the decision, journalists affiliated to AMWJU voluntarily deposited their identity cards at the office chamber of DIPR Director T Sitlhou today.

At about 11 am, the journalists assembled at DIPR complex to surrender their identity cards which were issued to them by DIPR after verification at different levels.

Soon after arriving at the DIPR complex, the aggrieved journalists entered the Director's office chamber and surrendered their identity cards voluntarily.

As journalists working in different media establishments including Editors started surrendering their identity cards, Director Sitlhou appealed to the journalists not to give their identity cards.

He also appealed to the journalists to take part in the Information Day celebration on November 1 under the aegis of DIPR and make the observance a success.

The journalists gave no response to the Director's appeal which seemed to undermine the protest agitation.

As they started depositing their DIPR issued identity cards in front of him, the Director left his chair and went outside.

Even as the Director left his office, journalists trooped in till 3 pm and surrendered their identity cards at his table.

Speaking about the protest agitation, AMWJU spokesperson and Editor of the Sanaleibak daily A Mobi said that a team of Imphal West commandos threatened to kill two journalists in the night of October 10 even after they identified themselves.

The commandos went on to thrash the two journalists besides making derisive remarks.

Taking strong exception to the incident, a joint meeting of AMWJU and Editors resolved to submit a charter of demands to the Government.

However, the Government has been refusing to take up any action as if nothing happened.

Decrying such callous attitude of the Government, AMWJU has already decided to give no coverage of State programmes and boycott the Government.

Today's agitation of surrendering DIPR cards was in continuation of the course of action charted out by AMWJU, Mobi continued.

In case the Government refuses to acknowledge and address grievances of the journalists even after surrender of DIPR cards, AMWJU may hand over the Press Club building to the Government, Mobi added.

Notably, the AMWJU's agitation of boycotting the SPF Government has completed 16 days.

The AMWJU has also decided to boycott the forthcoming Information Day observance and also not to accept the State journalist awards this year.

MHJU backs AMWJU: On the eve of the AMWJU surrendering their press identity cards to the government, Manipur Hill Journalists' Union in an emergency meeting convened here pledged its support to the ongoing agitation of the AMWJU, reports our Churachandpur correspondent.

The meeting besides announcing support to AMWJU agitation highlighted its intention to join their counterparts during their protest rally on November 1 .

It also unanimously agreed to surrender their DIPR issued I-cards to the Government by November 3 if the government fails to settle the issue before the harvest festival of Kut.