Media outlets halt operation against burning newsprints
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 10 2024: Condemning the brazen daylight attack by unidentified men at Kangpokpi, where a large quantity of newsprint and printing materials en route from Guwahati to Imphal were set ablaze, print and electronic media outlets in the state suspended their daily operations for the day and journalist community staged sit-in protest at the Manipur Press Club, here on Friday.

During the sit-in protest organised by All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM), the protestors held placards with slogans like Defend the press, defend democracy', 'We condemn arson of printing materials', 'Book the culprits' and 'Stop violence against press'.

Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, AMWJU vice-president Raj Nongthombam strongly denounced the hijacking and burning down of news printing materials in broad day light and added that such act is considered as an attacked on media and press freedom.

While stating that such act is an attack on democracy, he was surprised how security failed to prevent the act when it was done in broad day light and regretted that the incident occurred under the jurisdiction of IGAR (E).

Moreover, there is complete security lapse on the side of Kangpokpi police SP, deputy commissioner.

The government along with DGP and security advisor should also be held responsible for their failure to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile, AMWJU and EGM submitted a memorandum to Governor, chief minister and IPR minister and a copy of the memorandum was also sent to DGP and security advisor.

The memorandum demanded to identify and prosecute those responsible for the hijacking and burning of newsprint in Kangpokpi, in accordance with the law, ensure the free movement of vehicles carrying press-related materials on national highways, compensate publishing houses for the losses incurred due to the incident, transfer security responsibilities for the affected sections of the national highways from IGAR (East) to the Army's Red Shield Division or IGAR (South) .

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