Imphal, August 29 2010: The role of journalists to investigate an incident, be aware of its origin and how it broke out was stressed by Health and Family Welfare minister Ph Parijat while discussing the problem riddled state of Manipur.

It is a must for people to know the facts of an incident so that they can be alert to such incidents.

This can be achieved by journalists investigating the incident, said the minister speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of the seminar on "Investigative Journalism in Manipur", organised by the Editorial Board of Khollao, a fortnightly journal, on completion of its one year of publication.

Speaking further at the inaugural function of the seminar held at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul, Parijat reiterated that journalists are the torch bearers of the society.

Government should also provide incentives to journalists doing investigative works so that they could be encouraged in finding out the truth behind incidents.

It is difficult to know of all happenings, even by the best informed man.

This is why we need good investigative journalism.

Considering this, such a seminar should also target to help journalists in their investigative works, the chief guest added.

Editor of Khollao, B Sharma, while giving the key note address of the seminar observed that there are many instances of corrupt practices, lack of transparency, violation of rights of people, etc.

in the government even if it was a democratic government.

To point out such practices so that these could be rectified is a must for better governance for the people, he added.

If the media could not take an effective role in pointing out these wrong doings and filth in the governance will go on and this will drag down the people into darkness.

Media persons are the section of society who could not remain as silent spectators.

The media also faces great odds in discharging their duty in trying to give a true report to the people, the editor observed.

In the trouble riddled state of Manipur, the role of investigative journalists is becoming more and more important, B Sharma observed.

and stressed the need of encouraging journalists.

This would help to save the society and to bring a more meaningful democratic government in the state.

In the technical session of the seminar in which retired Deputy Director of AIR, Imphal, BB Sharma was the moderator, Veteran journalist Kangujam Modhumangol and Editor of Ereibak , Irengbam Arun talked as resource persons.

Modhumangol talked on the topic "Governance and Investigative Journalists in Manipur" while Arun on "Human Rights and Investigative Journalism.

An interaction followed.

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