By Abdul Gani, TwoCircles.net,
Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA), a scribe body of the state has extended its moral support to the agitating journalists of Manipur on its struggle against the militants. JFA argues that the media persons under the banner of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) have taken a significant stand against the armed militants who have threaten the media with their gun power.
It is worth mentioning that nearly 200 reporters representing the AMWJU and few newspaper hawkers had met Ibobi Singh on Monday after a silent process in Imphal regarding the persistent threats on the media, imposed by certain militant outfits. The armed outfit have reportedly threatened the editors and reporters that they would be shot if they publish newspapers and also threatened the hawkers. The State has not witnessed the publication of daily newspapers for the last two days.
Most of the northeast India based militant outfits have made it a habit to order the editors of newspapers to publish their press statements ‘as it is’. Otherwise, the concerned editor-journalists face harsh words and even physical assaults from those so-called revolutionary outfits. Unlike Assam, the practice is very much relevant in Manipur.
“In any situation, the media should (must) not be dictated in a democratic country. A section of Manipur militants have taken the unacceptable way to threaten the scribe and also the newspaper sellers and distributors there. We urge the authority to take necessary actions in this regard,” read a statement issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and its secretary Nava Thakuria.
The JFA also appealed to the civil societies of Manipur, particularly the vibrant women’s organizations to stand behind the media persons such that they can exercise their freedom and also serve the society in a better way.
