AMWJU boycotts HM visit
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 10 2011: The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union has announced a boycott to the visit of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, who arrived here on his two day visit in the state, in protest against unruly attitude of the police towards scribes at Imphal airport.

The decision to boycott the visit was taken in a meeting of the members of AMWJU, editors and correspondents held tonight at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul.

The meeting was presided over by AMWJU president, A Mobi.

Relating the reasons that compelled the scribes to take the decision, a statement of the AMWJU said that reporters and Imphal based correspondents of media houses including print and electronic were prevented from entering into the airport for coverage of Union minister's visit.

They reached at the airport well ahead of around 40 minutes from the timing of arrival of the minister but police on duty there barred them from entering saying that they could not proceed without the permission.

At that reporters asked the police personnel to allow them to talk an officer on duty there.

A police officer of SDPO rank came out and again used the same words as said the police personnel.

Reporters, then, insisted to meet with the SP.

At that, the officer told that the SP had already been inside the airport and it will not be convenience to have a talk with him.

He, then, asked the reporters to leave the area repeatedly saying that it was an order of the SP and to stay to an area where pointed.

Reporters attempted to cover the arrival of the Home Minister even though the place they were staying was far off from taking snap and video of arrival of the minister.

But it was not possible and they have to return without covering the event.

The SDPO said that even civilians were prevented from entering the airport.

This has hurt the sentiments of the reporters and taking serious note to the matter, the AMWJU called the meeting in which a decision to condemn the unruly attitude of the police shown towards the reporters was resolved.

The attitude of the home department is same as saying that there was no needs for coverage of Home Minister visit by the media even as scribes think that the visit was an important one considering the prevailing law and order situation of the state.

With strong condemnation to the attitude of the home department, the meeting resolved to boycott the visit, a statement of the AMJWU signed by its general secretary said.

Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram arrived at Imphal airport by a special BSF Embracer Aircraft, which landed at Imphal airport at 5.46 pm.

Ahead of arrival of the Union minister, police, as part of security measures, conducted further cordon operations in some selected areas of greater Imphal.

In one of the mopping operation at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai, police called out male members of aged ranging from 15 to 45 years ranges and conducted verifications.

However, no arrest or pick up of suspect was reported.

Police further conducted search operation in some sensitive area, reports said.

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