Black badge, slogan protest into 2nd week
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 28 2025: The joint protest launched by the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and the Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) has entered its second week as the demand for justice remains unfulfilled in the wake of the Gwaltabi incident that obstructed press freedom in Manipur.

The protest involving the wearing of black badges and dissemination of weekly slogans was triggered after a team of journalists who were officially invited by the Government of Manipur to cover the opening ceremony of the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul, were stopped at Gwaltabi in Imphal East.

The journalists were travelling in an official MST bus arranged by the DIPR, but were stopped multiple times by security personnel, including troops of the Mahar Regiment.

In a shocking turn of events, the media team was instructed to cover the word "Manipur" on the bus before being allowed to proceed - a move seen as a direct affront to the dignity and neutrality of the press.

The deliberate obstruction prevented media personnel from effectively carrying out their journalistic duties at the State-sponsored event.

Following this incident, AMWJU and EGM submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur, urging an impartial inquiry and action to hold the responsible parties accountable.

As of today, no satisfactory response or remedial action has been taken by the Government.

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