Imphal, July 21, 2010: The Imphal based journalists will cease work tomorrow and stage a sit-in-protest at Keishampat in front of the Power House in solidarity with the decision of the Manipur Hill Journalists' Union, HQ Churachandpur to close down all newspapers published in Churachandpur indefinitely in protest against the threat on the life of a journalist there.

As such no newspaper would be published on July 23. This was decided at an emergency meeting of the executive committee of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) held at Manipur Press Club at 5 pm today.

President of AMWJU, Khogendra Khomdram chaired the meeting which was attended by the standing committee members of the Union.

The AMWJU resolved to condemn the threat on S Singlianmang Guite, CCpur correspondent of Sangai Express by some persons who identified themselves as cadres of HPC (D) today.

Three armed persons of the group came to Singlianmang Guite's house and threatened members of his family and him.

That act was a challenge to the freedom of press, the meeting resolved.

It was also resolved that the AMWJU would show solidarity with whatever agitation launched by Manipur Hill Journalists' Union and support its demands.

In support of the decision taken by the Hill Journalists' Union to stop publication of newspapers indefinitely demanding arrest of those involved in the incident, and punish them according to the law of the land, the AMWJU has resolved to cease work tomorrow, July 22 (Thursday) and organise a sit-in-protest at Keishampat from 10 am to 5 pm.

Because of the cease work and sit-in-protest, no newspapers would be brought out on July 23 and the local cable TV would also not telecast news programmes.

AMWJU has appealed to all its members to participate in the sit-in-protest.

Meanwhile, president of Manipur Hill Journalists' Union, Th Thangjalian and General Secretary, Kaimuanthang sent a request to the AMWJU for cooperation in the case.

According to information furnished by Singlianmang Guite and MHJU, three armed men, who came in an old black coloured Maruti Esteem, barged into the house of Singlianmang Guite around 11.45 am today.

The armed men appeared to be blind with rage with a news item published in the Sangai Express today.

The armed intruders were led by a man who spotted long hair and slim figure.

As soon as they intruded on the premise, they enquired about the whereabouts of Singlianmang Guite.

The family members informed them that he was away attending a programme at Tuibong.

They demanded to talk to him and asked his wife to call him on his mobile phone.

On getting contact, the leader of the group, who identified himself as the town commander of HPC (D), released a barrage of reproof without bothering to listen to the reply or explaination of Singlianmang Guite.

Guite tried to explain that the story was not filed by him.

But the fellow did not listen to him and just shouted at him.

While he was continuing with his barrage, he took out a pistol and put it on the table right in front of Guite's wife and younger brother, the MHJU and Guite informed.

Before coming into his house, one of the men who seemed to be drunk was seen dropping his pistol on the street.

Taking cognizance of the incident's seriousness, the MHJU today convened an emergency meeting to discuss the incident.

The meeting condemned the incident and adopted four resolutions.

As per the resolutions, the Union presumes that the intrusion was a serious threat to the life and freedom of a journalist, which could have turned fatal.

The open display of arms in front of woman and other family members was viewed seriously by the Union and such it has decided to cease publication of all newspapers under the Union indefinitely from July 22.The Union urged the authority to immediately identify the armed cadres and punish them according to the law of the land.

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