Tuesday, May 20 2025 | Time 22:51 Hrs(IST)
States » EastPosted at: May 20 2025 5:39PM


Manipur media protests harassment of journalists enroute to Shirui Lily festival

Imphal, May 20 (UNI) A team of media persons from Imphal going to Ukhrul to cover the Shirui Lily Festival was stopped by security personnel on Tuesday and asked to conceal the words 'Manipur State Transport' written on the vehicle of the Manipur Transport Department, Manipur.
The team accompanied by government officials was repeatedly frisked three times which made it hard to reach the venue. The journalists finally came back and staged a protest march towards Raj Bhawan to submit a memorandum.
It was stated in the memorandum that the incident has triggered serious questions regarding freedom of the press, public safety, and the existing security environment in the region, including the issue of who is governing the state: the State Government or the Central Security Forces.
Media personnel have called for clarity from the authorities regarding the rationale behind the strict security instructions, especially given that the journey was state-backed.
The incident had raised serious concern about the writ of the State Government when its own official vehicle could not travel within the state and was stopped by the Central Security Forces personnel. The act of the security personnel was tantamount to disturbing the professional duty of the journalists, they said.
The All Manipur Working Journalists Union and Editors Guild Manipur also convened a meeting and decided to launch a Pen Down Strike on Wednesday and suspend all normal duties by the journalist fraternity. In the absence of an amicable solution, the pen-down strike may further be extended.
It was decided to boycott all Manipur State Government related news and information including State and Central Forces operating in Manipur.
The meeting demanded an inquiry into the incident of harassment of media persons en route to Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival and fix responsibility. It also demanded action against those government officials directly involved and responsible for organising the Shirui Lily Festival for their irresponsibility and dereliction of duty. The media organisations demanded action against Information officials.
Meanwhile, AICC Member and Senior Spokesperson of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee Ningombam Bupenda Meitei in a press conference at the Congress office voiced the Congress party's serious concern at the failure of the State, including Union Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for effective free movement of all citizens and persons in the entire Manipur State since of May 3, 2023.
He said, as learnt from today's reported news that the Manipur State Transport Corporation bus carrying media persons and proceeding to attend the Shirui Festival 2025 in Ukhrul District was stopped and the name 'Manipur' written on the bus was covered and was reportedly told not to use the word 'Manipur', we consider that every citizen of our country has a fundamental right, which is guaranteed in Article 19 of the Constitution of India, to move freely in Manipur and in the country. We, therefore, urge both the Union Government of India under Prime Minister Modi and Manipur Governor, as the state is placed under President’s Rule, to uphold the Constitution in order to ensure the free movement of all in Manipur state.
"The double engine (government) has failed and now the President's Rule, too, has failed to ensure free movement for all in the last more than two years," the Congress party said.
Meanwhile, Laikhuram Jayenta, Convenor, IPR Sub-Committee COCOMI in a press statement condemned the actions of security forces which "appear to be a deliberate attempt to delegitimise the authority and very existence of the state of Manipur within its own territory". Such actions are not only irresponsible but dangerously align with the agenda of illegal elements who have been persistently working to destabilise the region over the past two years.
The Governor of Manipur, along with other officials who had earlier given assurances for peaceful and secure movement during the ongoing festival, have now been openly defied by their own security apparatus. COCOMI demanded an immediate and reasonable explanation for these unprecedented actions. The concerned officers and units must be held accountable, and appropriate measures must be taken without delay.
Various political parties, civil societies, and women organisations of the state demanded a thorough probe into the incident.

UNI NS RN
Tags: #Manipur media protests harassment of journalists enroute to Shirui Lily festival
More News

BJD raises concern over unilateral progress of Polavaram Project by AP Government

20 May 2025 | 10:20 PM

Bhubaneswar, May 20 (UNI) Senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Debi Mishra on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the continued violations and unilateral progress of the Polavaram Project by the Andhra Pradesh Government, allegedly with active support from the Centre.

see more..

Odisha to develop major adventure tourism destinations

20 May 2025 | 10:13 PM

Bhubaneswar, May 20 (UNI) Odisha is set to develop its natural attractions and scenic locations into major destinations for adventure tourism.

see more..

Power supply snapped at ancestral home of J P due to pending electricity bills : Prashant

20 May 2025 | 9:57 PM

Patna, May 20 (UNI) A veteran socialist leader Jai Prakash Narain (JP) who had given the call of total revolution in mid seventies against dictatorship of the then Congress regime, has been left unattended by his disciples who are in power in Bihar and also at the Centre as ancestral home of J P is in complete darkness due to non payment of electricity bill.

see more..

Odisha Chhatra Congress holds Mashal Rally, demands 27 percent reservation for OBCs in Education and Jobs

20 May 2025 | 9:33 PM

Bhubaneswar, May 20 (UNI) Activists of the Odisha Chhatra Congress organized a Mashal (torch) rally on Tuesday night, starting from Congress Bhawan, to demand 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in both higher education and government jobs.

see more..

Odisha: Three sentenced to 20 years RI and 50 K fine each in a gang rape case

20 May 2025 | 9:11 PM

Balasore , May 20 (UNI) Additional sessions judge (Adhoc) Fast track Anita Sahoo on Tuesday sentenced three youths to 20 years RI along with Rs.50,000 fine each for their involvement in a gang rape case.

see more..