Bodies condemn 'attack' on media, Meira Paibis
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 07 2024: Thawai Mirel has raised serious concerns over the recent detention of editors of some leading vernacular dailies of the state while charging the government of trying to supress the voice and rights of journalists and Meira Paibis.

Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club here on Sunday, Thawai Mirel co-convenor P Sanahanbi expressed dismay over what they perceive as an attempt to curb the rights of media and movement of Meira Paibis through filing of FIRs.

She also accused the government of targeting Meira Paibis for opposing deployment of central security forces in peaceful areas.

In addition, Thawai Mirel raided concerns about training of recruit of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and criticised the decision to send the recruits to Assam instead of conducting training sessions within the state and added that the mothers cannot accept such arrangements.

She further criticised the government for its failure to control the situation even though the crisis has entered its ninth month.

Similarly, expressing serious concern over the recent cases of arrest of media persons by police, Universal Mothers' Organisation (UMO) has appealed to authority concerned to stop harassing and arresting journalists who are performing the duties of disseminating vital information to the public.

Addressing media persons at its Lamphel office, here, on Sunday, UMO president Moirangthem Sorojini Leima said that the role of media persons in updating the people on daily happenings is incomparable.

Notwithstanding the fact that media persons shduld be respected and encouraged for their untiring service to the society, freedom of the press, however, has been curtailed in the state which is very unfortunate.

It would not be the right approach to arrest media persons for printing incorrect information in news and electronic media.

If at all there are any mistakes, the media persons should be given the opportunity of rectifying the mistakes, if any, and informing them to report the correct news in future, she stressed.

She further appealed all concerned not to exert pressure or threaten the media persons.

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