Scribes protest bomb threat
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 17 2015:
Condemning the act of placing a grenade at the residential gate of Impact TV Editor-in-chief Yumnam Rupachandra who is also the general secretary of Editors' Guild, Manipur, journalists of the State staged a sit-in-protest at Keishampat yesterday.
The journalists also ceased work for the day (December 16) and there was no publication on December 17.ISTV and Impact TV too suspended broadcasting news from 6 am of December 16 till 6 am of December 17 .
MLA N Biren of Heingang A/C, Kh Joykishan of Thangmeiband A/C, Laishom Ibomcha Singh of Keishamthong A/C and Dr I Ibohalbi of Oinam A/C also turned up for the protest to extend solidarity to the journalists.
A large number of journalists took part in the protest demanding that they be allowed to work independently.
Later representatives of AMWJU and EGM submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi demanding protection of journalists.
Stating that the grenade was placed in connection with the refusal of the media houses to publish a statement issued by a particular armed group, the.
memorandum urged the Chief Minister to ensure safe and secure environment for the journalists to work.
The EGM and AMWJU urged the Chief Minister to open adequate police pickets in and around the residential areas of Editors, office bearers of EGM and AMWJU and individual scribes who have been directly threatened by the group.
The memorandum also urged the Chief Minister to ensure protection and security of media houses as well as the office of AMWJU and the Manipur Press Club.