IMPHAL, January 7: Following the grenade threat at the Naharolgi Thoudang with a note addressed by one s/s commander Henthoiba Mangang of the KCP (MC) Lanchen Chanu group, suspected militants lobbed a Chinese hand grenade at the office of the local daily Sangai Express on January 6.
Media houses were closed on January 6 as part of observing the foundation day of the Manipur Press Club, when the bomb was lobbed.
It may also be added that media houses in Imphal have been provided with security cover following the recent threat at Thoudang.
The VDF personnel who have been assigned as security cover at the Sangai informed that the bomb was hurled by some individuals from a moving car yesterday at around 11:30pm.
Meanwhile, the bomb threat has been condemned by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union as an intimidation to the independent working of the media, stated a statement of the AMWJU.
The statement has further expressed that media is the mirror of the society and has further appealed to all concerned to allow the media houses to operate without any fear and independently.
Meanwhile, in protest against the series of bomb attacks on media houses recently by armed militants, the media persons of the state carried out a silent protest rally today in Imphal.
The rally organized by the All Manipur Working Journalist Union was attended by around 200 media persons.
The media persons led by AMWJU president A Mobi gathered at the Tiddim ground this morning at 10am and started their protest rally at 11am. The rally covered Kwakeithel Bazar, Keishampat Junction, Wahengbam Leikai road, and crossed Maharani Bridge, and further proceeded along the BT road, Kanglapat road and finally concluded at the Manipur Press Club at Major Khul Imphal this afternoon.
The media persons carried placards reading, “We are not afraid of death for the cause of truth”, “Do not disturb the normal working of the media in the state”, “Respect the rights of the freedom of expression”, “Threatening the rights of the media is threatening democracy” etc.