AMWJU to stage sit-in today over scribes' safety
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 01 2017: Expressing serious concern over the increasing number of crimes against journalists and incidents of press freedom violations across the country, All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) in its sitting held yesterday has decided to organise a sit-in-protest at Keishampat tomorrow to urge the Government to institute measures to ensure safety of journalists of the State as well as of the country .

Quoting International Federation of Journalists, AMWJU in a press release said, “The increasing number of attacks on journalists and media in India is a serious threat to independent journalism in the country.

The IFJ urges the Indian authorities to act immediately to ensure the safety of journalists and media and speedy investigation and prosecution in crimes against journalists to ensure that such incidents are not repeated” .

The lack of prosecution of perpetrators of violence against journalists emboldens intolerant elements, who can be checked only if impunity ends, it stated .

According to the release, Uttar Pradesh registered the most cases (64) over two years but only four persons have been arrested.

UP was followed by Madhya Pradesh (26) and Bihar (22) .

The three States accounted for 79 percent of all cases registered across the country.

Madhya Pradesh reported the most arrests (42), 10 in 2014 and 32 in 2015 .

Comment