Scribes condemn, rally against police brutality
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 01 2024: All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors' Guild, Manipur (EGM) took out a rally and submitted a memorandum to chief minister N Biren on Thursday against assault of Impact TV reporter Mutum Rameshchandra alias RC Mangangcha by a Manipur police sub-inspector while covering a protest rally of internally displaced persons at Akampat.

The rally started from Manipur Press Club with AMWJU and EGM members holding placards inscribed with slogans such as 'Respect journalists', 'Punish the police personnel involved in the assault,' etc.

After marching along the Kanglapat road towards the CM's Bungalow, the journalists led by AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam and EGM president Khogendro Khomdram met CM N Biren and submitted a memorandum containing various demands.

The memorandum sought con- stitution of an enquiry committee and initiation of befitting action against the police officer involved in assaulting Rameshchandra.

"We are writing to express our grave concern regarding today's physical assault on media person despite identifying himself as reporter of a media house.

In a state like Manipur, we also understand the professional hazards being in this line".

"Particularly the physical assault on Mutum Rameshchandra, a senior reporter of Impact TV News is very unfortunate and the circumstances indicate the intent of the officer Involved.

We the fraternity take it as a threat and an attempt to suppress the freedom of press in the democratic fabric of our society," it said.

The memorandum asserted that such incidents are alarming and unacceptable, as they undermine the freedom of press and right of journalists to perform their duties without fear.

It also recommended strict instructions to the police while discharging their duty, particularly dealing with protests, which media persons generally cover.

The memorandum further asked for visible action within 48 hours.

After meeting with the CM, EGM general secretary Yumnam Rupachandra informed that CM has assured to investigate the matter by Friday and take appropriate action.

The general secretary also demanded that expenditure incurred in the treatment of M Rameshchandra and cost for replacing or repairing mobile phone of Rameshchandra damaged should be deducted from salary of the accused officer.

Rupachandra further called for befitting punishment to the officer to avert recurrence of similar incidents in the future.

On the other hand, AMWJU and EGM strongly condemned assault on AMWJU member and reporter M Rameshchandra by a sub-inspector while the former was performing his duty at Akampat.

In a joint release, AMWJU and EGM informed that a joint meeting regarding the incident was held at Loktak Hall of Manipur Press Club on Thursday.

The meeting noted that the police office involved had snatched and smash mobile phone of Rameshchandra and continued to verbally and physically assault him despite showing his journalist ID card.

Even after a police officer known to Rameshchandra and office in-charge of Irilbung police station intervened, the SI manhandled Rameshchandra, who had to be taken to a hospital for treatment.

In denunciation of the police brutality, the scribes bodies resolved not to publish or broadcast any news related to Manipur Police and further agreed to press authority concerned to dismiss the police officer involved within 48-hour.It was also decided to hold a meeting for considering boycott of ongoing proceedings of Manipur Legislative Assembly if the need arise, it conveyed.

Similarly, Thoubal District Working Journalists' Union (TDWJU), Kakching District Journalists' Association (KDJA) and All Jiribam Working Journalists' Union (AJWJU) also vehemently condemned the attack on reporter M Rameshchandra.

In separate releases, TDWJU, KDJA and AJWJU demanded befitting action against the police officer involved along with extending support to any decision taken by AMWJU and EGM in connection with the incident.

All Bishnupur District Working Journalists' Union (ABDWJU) also strongly condemned the assault on Impact TV reporter RC Mangang by Manipur police personnel while covering the protest rally of internally displaced persons in Akampat area on Thursday.

In a release, ABDWJU informed that its members held an emergency meeting and resolved to demand authority concerned to take suitable action against the police personnel involved.

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