Black badge protest by AMWJU, EGM enters 2nd week
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 28 2025: The joint protest launched by the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) has entered its second week, as the demand for justice in the Gwaltabi incident - wherein press freedom was obstructed�remains unfulfilled.

A joint press statement issued by AMWJU and EGM reminded that the protest involving wearing of black badges and dissemination of weekly slogans was triggered after a team of journalists, who were officially invited by the Government of Manipur to cover the opening ceremony of the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul, were barred at Gwaltabi in Imphal East.

The journalists were travelling in an official MST bus arranged by DIPR, but were stopped multiple times by security personnel, including troops of the Mahar Regiment.

In a shocking turn of events, the media team was instructed to cover the word "Manipur" on the bus before being allowed to proceed - a move seen as a direct affront to the dignity and neutrality of the press.

The deliberate act of the security personnel prevented media personnel from effectively carrying out their journalistic duties at the state-sponsored event.

Following this incident, AMWJU and EGM submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur, urging an impartial inquiry and action to hold the responsible parties accountable.

However, no satisfactory response or remedial action has come forth from the government so far, it rued.

In view of this silence and continued injustice, AMWJU and EGM are compelled to sustain the protest.

This week's slogans, in English and Manipuri, are "Gwaltabi Incident - Journalists deserve justice, not silence", and "Gwaltabi gi Wathok - Journalist-singna achumba wayel phangpham thok-i, tuminna leishilloi-dabani" .

All members of AMWJU and EGM are requested to perform their duties while wearing black badges or ribbons as a mark of protest.

Editors of all media outlets are earnestly requested to carry the slogans prominently in their publications and bulletins.

AMWJU and EGM remain committed to upholding the rights, dignity, and freedom of the press in Manipur, the release added.

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