Action against those responsible for harassment to journalists
- 20th May, 2025 :: All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) -

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To,
The Hon'ble Governor of Manipur,
Raj Bhavan, Imphal.

Subject: Prayer for immediate action against those responsible for causing harassment to the journalists who went to cover the Shirui Lily Festival on 20th May, 2025

Hon'ble Sir,

A controversy erupted in Manipur on Monday, 20th May 2025 morning after a team of journalists headed to Ukhrul district to cover the Shirui Lily Festival was instructed by security personnel to conceal the words "Manipur State Transport" displayed on government owned vehicle from the Transport Department issued to Directorate of Information and Public Relations. The incident occurred at the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East, roughly 25 km from Imphal city, and prompted the media team to abandon their official assignment and return to the capital.

The bus, arranged exclusively for the media by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), was carrying around 20 journalists along with DIPR staff. The team had departed from the DIPR office in Imphal at approximately 6:30 AM to cover the inaugural day of the Shirui Lily Festival, which was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Governor of Manipur.

The vehicle reportedly cleared at least three checkpoints after routine security checks. However, upon reaching Gwaltabi, personnel from the 4 Mahar Regiment instructed the team to hide the phrase "Manipur State Transport" printed on the front of the bus. The instruction raised concern and confusion among the media professionals, who questioned the logic behind hiding a state government name while operating within the state.

Though the team initially attempted to comoly in order to reach the venue ln time, delays resulting from negotiations with the security forces led to significant time loss. As a result, the journalists decided to return to Irnphal and later arranged alternate transportation on their own.

This incident has triggered serious questions regarding freedom of the press, public safety, and the existing security environment in the region, including the issue of who is governing the state: the State Government or the Central Security Forces.

Media personnel have called for clarity from the authorities regarding the rationale behind the instruction. especially given the state backed nature of the journey. The Incident had raised serious concern about the writ of the State Government within the state when its own official vehicle cOuld not travel within the state when stopped by the Central Security Forces personnel.

One understands the objections from the Kuki community though unacceptable but the central forces supporting the demands of the Kuki is unprecedented and blatantly illegal in the true sense. The team strictly followed the instruction issued by the ADM, Ukhrul who advised those travelling from Imphal to Ukhrul from 6.00 AM to 4.00 PM. The act of the security personnel tantamount to disturbing the professional duty of the journalists.

As a consequence, a joint emergency meeting of All Manipur Working Journalists Union and Editors Guild Manipur was held today at Manipur Press Club Imphal along with members of AMWJU. The meeting resolved to:

1. Launch Pen Down Strike on 21.05.2025 and suspend all normal duties by the journalist fraternity. In the absence of an amicable solution, the pen-down strike may further be extended.

2. Boycott all Manipur State Government related news and information, including State and Central Forces operating in Manipur.

3. Demand an inquiry into the incident of harassement of media persons en-route to Shirui Lily Festival and fix responsibility.

4. Penalise those Government officials directly involved and responsible for Festival for their irresponsibility and dereliction of organising duty.

5. Take action against those Officials and Personnel in-charge of the area where the incidents occurred

6. Advise the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), to have proper consultation with related stakeholders to prevent such incidents from occurring in future.

7. Hold an emergency General Body Meeting of AMWJU & EGM on 21.05.2025 at 11 am at Manipur Press Club to discuss the issues arising out of this incident.

8. Take out protest rally to submit memorandum to the Governor of Manipur.

Your Honour is beseeched to urgently look into the matter and find out the culprits who causes such confusion and penalise for their incompetency or exceeding their brief or utter lack of coordination causing not only discomfort and hurt to the journalist in performing their duties and penalise them. The act also raises serious issue about the writ of the state government within its jurisdiction.

(Khwairakpam Naoba)
General Secretary, AMWJU

(Yumnam Rupachandra)
Secretary General, EGM

See a full photo gallery on this protest here