Journalists resume work, continue boycott of Govt, SFs
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 22 2025: Journalists returned to work on Thursday following a one-day pen-down strike observed on Wednesday while continuing boycott of all news and information related to the state government and the security forces operating in the state until the findings of the Inquiry Committee are submitted and appropriate action is taken.

The decision to resume work and sustain the boycott was taken in a joint emergency meeting of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) on Wednesday 11 am, which reconvened at 5.30 pm following a meeting with the Governor.

The earlier session of the meeting was adjourned to allow the journalists' representatives meet the Governor in connection with the May 20 incident at Gwaltabi.

In the meeting, the two apex bodies of journalists in the state unanimously resolved to resume normal duties from Thursday.

However, they agreed that all coverage of news and information relating to the state government and state and central security forces operating in the state would remain suspended until the report of the Inquiry Committee is submitted and actions are initiated based on its recommendations.

The move comes in response to the May 20 incident in which security personnel harassed a group of journalists travelling in a Manipur State Transport bus to cover the Shirui Lily Festival.

The journalists were forced to return from Gwaltabi after security forces objected to the display of the word "Manipur" on the bus, triggering widespread outrage across the media fraternity and civil societies.

During the later session of the meeting, AMWJU and EGM resolved to recommend a modification to the government order issued on May 21 constituting the Inquiry Committee.

The suggestion includes an insertion in Paragraph 2 of the order to specify that the Committee shall also identify the lapses and recommend penalties against those responsible for the acts of omission or commission that led to the harassment of the journalists and their forced return from Gwaltabi.

Additionally, the two organisations resolved to urge the government to redeploy the security personnel currently posted at Gwaltabi to other locations until the inquiry is complete.

The measure is intended to ensure that no further incidents occur at the site while the investigation is underway.

The Inquiry Committee formed by the Governor includes senior officials of the state government and has been tasked with submitting its findings within 15 days.

At the joint meeting, journalists expressed strong dissatisfaction over the events of May 20, when security personnel at Gwaltabi stopped a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus carrying journalists and instructed them to conceal the word "Manipur" displayed on the vehicle.

It was resolved that while regular news coverage would resume from May 22, journalists would not report on any state government activities or events involving state and central security forces until the inquiry is completed and accountability is ensured.

While a limited exemption has been made for coverage of certain events related to the Shirui Lily Festival, the media boycott of official government programmes, especially those attended by senior officials, remains in effect.

The media organisations emphasised that their protest extends beyond the Gwaltabi incident, citing broader concerns about the suppression of press freedom and perceived symbolic attacks on Manipur's identity.

The Inquiry Committee, which includes senior government officials, has been tasked with submitting its findings within 15 days.

Until then, the journalist community has reportedly pledged to maintain unity in their call for transparency, justice, and accountability.

Comment