AMWJU takes boycott stand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 10 2011:
In protest against the unruly conduct of the police, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) has decided to stay away from covering the news of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's visit to Manipur.
A decision to this effect was arrived at during a joint meeting of AMWJU, editors and correspondents at Manipur Press Club late evening today.
The meeting strongly condemned the unruly conduct of the police in preventing mediapersons from taking photograph or video coverage of the visit of an important personality like the Union Home Minister to Manipur where there is still problem of law and order.
On the events that led to the decision of boycotting news coverage of the Union Home Minister's visit, a statement issued by AMWJU general secretary said that mediapersons were prevented from taking photograph and video coverage of the Union Home Minister's visit as they were prevented entry to the Airport premises by the State police.
A group of mediapersons reached Tulihal airport around 40 minutes ahead of Union Home Minister's arrival but they were told that no one would be allowed entry without permission.
When the media team requested for meeting one of the responsible police officers for talks, one SDPO came out only to reiterate that no one could be allowed without permission.
When the mediapersons pressed for taking up the issue with the SP concerned, the SDPO maintained that it may not be possible as the SP has already entered inside the airport, the AMWJU release added.
Saying that it is an order from the SP, the SDPO directed the mediapersons to stay further away as their presence would raise question.
Left with no other option, the media team came back empty handed from the airport.
The SDPO had also told the media team that restriction had been imposed on entry of even civilian inside the airport, the statement added.