Ukhrul scribes face district cops' wrath
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 29, 2014:
The convoy of SP (Ukhrul) drive through the crowd of students who were staging protest.
Ukhrul, Mar 29: Escort personnel of Ukhrul SP, S Selvan today forcibly snatched cameras of three Ukhrul-based reporters including this correspondent's which were later returned after deleting the photos captured.
The journalists were covering a protest rally, against the deletion of Additional English by Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BOSEM) in the Class IX and X syllabus, organised jointly by the Principals' Association of Recognised Schools (PARS) Ukhrul and All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM).
Student demonstrators numbering around 6000 from 16 schools gathered inside the Mini secretariat, Hamleikhong here to hand over a memorandum to Chief Minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh through the Deputy Commissioner Ukhrul, Dr SK Chourasia.
It was around 11.30 am when the district SP, S Selvan tried to make way imposingly in the midst of the crowd of protesters inside the Mini Secretariat here.
The SP abused the Secretary PARS, Bosco in front of the students.
The media persons, including this correspondent, who were there to cover the event were not spared from experiencing his arrogant demeanour.
At his instruction, the cameras of the journalists were confiscated by his escort personnel.
After repeated persuasions, the cameras were returned but only after deleting the photographs as per the order of the SP.
PARS President Alex Khayi said that the SP has defied the sanctity of student community while condemning his act against peaceful demonstrators who obtained every necessary permission to the authorities concerned beforehand.
Meanwhile, the Ukhrul Journalist Association (UDJA) peeved at the arrogant attitude of the IPS officer, immediately apprised the matter to the district administration.
The UDJA has submitted a representation to the DC, Ukhrul� the same copy was also forwarded to the SP, Ukhrul S Selvan� demanding unconditional apology before 12 noon tomorrow.