Govt working for welfare of scribes, says IPR Minister
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05 2024: IPR Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan today told the Manipur Legislative Assembly that the State Government has taken up several measures for the welfare and safety of the journalist fraternity.

Dr Ranjan made this statement in response to certain points and observations raised by MLA K Meghachandra while discussing IPR's Demand for Grants amounting to Rs 19,50,21,000 .

Acknowledging the role of journalists in strengthening democracy, the IPR Minister said that the Government has been investigating the recent incidents of attacks on journalists.

Raising a policy cut motion, K Meghachandra pointed out that some unidentified persons threatened Imphal Times staff Kh Dhanachandra at his residence on May 29 this year.

Naharolgi Thoudang Editor Kh Loyalakpa was followed and threatened by some unidentified persons in the night of June 5 and shots were fired at his Kontha Khabam residence in the intervening night of July 15 and 16, Meghachandra said.

On August 1, Impact TV reporter M Rameshchandra was beaten black and blue by one police officer while covering a protest rally, he recalled.

Saying that the journalists can no longer work freely in Manipur because of such incidents, the Congress MLA urged the Government to take up necessary measures for the security of the journalist fraternity.

The IPR Minister said that police have been investigating the incidents of threatening the Imphal Times staff and the Naharolgi Thoudang Editor. As assured by the Chief Minister to the AMWJU and the EGM, necessary action has been initiated against the police officer who assaulted the Impact TV reporter, Dr Ranjan said.

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