Imphal, October 08: After going on strike for altogether two weeks in protest against violation of press freedom, concurrently with an indefinite sit-in-protest against staged by journalists belonging to print and electronic media, newspapers in Manipur are resuming publication from today.

Local cable-TV networks are also resuming transmission of local channels from today.

In a press statement issued in this connection, the All Manipur Working Journalists� Union, AMWJU, has apologized to the public for the extreme inconvenience caused due to the prolonged non-publication of newspapers due to the sudden strike.

It also expressed gratitude to all section who extended moral support to the media during the strike.

Clarifying the reasons for launching the sudden strike, the AMWJU statement stated that on September 25, following a press conference concerning the abduction of several student leaders of Manipur University, telephone calls were received at various newspaper offices from callers identifying themselves as belonging to two different underground groups, one warning the media organizations not to publish any report regarding the press conference, the other demanding that the report should compulsorily be published.

The AMWJU clarified that the media community was caught in a grave dilemma in such circumstances and had no option but to cease publication.

The decision to resume publication of newspapers was taken at a general body meeting of the AMWJU after receiving statements from various underground groups assuring non-interference in exercise of editorial freedom by the media, and non-imposition of any ban on the print or electronic media.

The AMWJU, at another general body meeting yesterday has also framed a code of conduct to be followed by media-persons and media organizations.

It may be mentioned that the RPF in a statement released on September 27 last had clarified that since its inception, it was the party policy to respect freedom of press, and reiterated that the party would in no way violate press freedom.

It however stated that it was against the hijacking of journalism for vested interests.

The UNLF stated in a separate statement that it also respect press freedom, and advocated a spirit of mutual understanding for tackling various issued that come up from time to time.

Regarding the demand for assurance of non-interference in exercise of press freedom and non-imposition of any ban or restriction on media organizations, it said it would abide by the decision taken by the apex MPLF in this regard.

It may be mentioned in this connection that the MPLF, in a statement issued on September 30 had stated that it required more time to take a joint decision among its constituents regarding the AMWJU�s demands.

The MPLF also raised the question of editorial responsibility.

Chairman of the KYKL (O), N Oken, in a statement gave a pledge of non-interference of any kind in the functioning of media organizations and apologize for any such interference in the past.

The KYKL (T) chief, Achou Toijamba, also gave an assurance not to interfere with editorial freedom and not to impose any restriction of any kind on print or electronic media organizations or on journalists.

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