Imphal, Manipur
New Delhi: Condemning the ongoing violence in Manipur including attacks on journalists covering the violence, the National Alliance of Journalists (NAJ) and the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) in a joint statement today demanded that the authorities ensure the safety of journalists.
Expressing shock at the attack on two journalists inside the office of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in Imphal on June 21, 2023, the Unions called for an immediate cessation of violence by armed groups belonging to all sides.
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They noted that Aajtak journalist Akshay Dongre and Shalini of HY News were physically assaulted by a person named Sanatomba Meetei, who claimed he was a Bharatiya Janata Party worker and had instructions from the chief minister. “We welcome the immediate reaction of Manipur journalists’ unions who approached Chief Minister Biren Singh and had the man arrested,” the statement said.
There have been several attacks on media in Manipur in the past month. On June 16, two journalists Jiten and Khagemba were assaulted by the Rapid Action Force outside the Singhjami Police Station. On May 23, three journalists, Soram Inaoba, Nongthombom Johnson of Mami TV and Brahmacharimayum Dayananda of ANI, were hit with batons by security personnel while recording footage of a burning building and a drone flying overhead at New Checkon in Imphal. Afrida Hussain of India Today’s North East Bureau was also targeted by a mob outside her hotel in Imphal on May 29 and received threatening calls for her reportage. She was evacuated from the hotel by Assam Rifles personnel.
In the joint statement DUJ President Sujata Madhok and General Secretary Jigeesh A.M, NAJ President SK Pande and NAJ Secretary General N. Kondaiah stressed that the state and central governments must act urgently to bring peace to troubled Manipur so that all citizens’ lives are safe.
“We demand that the state government immediately begin peace talks, bringing warring groups and communities to the table,” the statement said.
– global bihari bureau
