Unknown ruffians threaten TSE staff; EGM, AMWJU condemn
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 25 2021: Some unknown ruffians who came in four cars tried to stop and intimidate a staff of The Sangai Express at Changangei Uchekon, opposite Bir Tikendrajit International Airport at around 3 am today.

The staff was ferrying newspapers in a van from the media firm's printing office located at Changangei Uchekon to its main office located at Sega Road, Thouda Bhabok Leikai.

The ruffians threw bottles, blared horns and shouted at the driver/staff who was driving the van towards the head-office of The Sangai Express.

Even as police were informed of the rowdy attack, all the four cars sped away in the direction of Nambol.

But police were unable to apprehend any of the miscreants.

Meanwhile, the Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) and the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) have condemned the attack in the strongest terms.

Stating that it does not take such kind of intimidation on media establishments lightly, the EGM has urged the police to take up stern action against the miscreants.

Pointing out that this was not the first time media houses came under attack and intimidations from different sectors, the EGM urged the State Government to ensure a secure environment for the media to function freely.

"We also urge the Government to address all pending issues including the bomb attack at the office of the Poknapham and the People's Chronicle", said a press release issued by the EGM.

It decried that the Government has also failed to address the issue of cyber crimes against media houses despite several rounds of meeting.

The EGM further urged the Government to nab the miscreants using CCTV footages of the several CCTV cameras mounted by the State police across the State capital.

The AMWJU standing committee also held an emergency meeting this afternoon with its president Wangkhemcha Shamjai and deliberated the attack on the staff of The Sangai Express.

Condemning the attack in the strongest term, the AMWJU has asserted that any disruptive activity targeting media and related activities is a threat to the entire media fraternity.

Such act of rowdyism is a challenge to the freedom of expression, asserted a statement issued by AMWJU.

It also urged the State Government to take up all necessary measures so that such acts of intimidation and rowdyism do not occur again.

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