Manipur, IMPHAL, Aug 6: Editors of several local dailies have been threatened by a group calling itself the KYKL (MDF) for refusing to publish a statement issued by the group.
Meanwhile, the state Home Minister Gaikhangam issued a red alert following the threat to the editors.
The editors had yesterday taken the decision not to publish the statement taking into consideration PCI guidelines and its local adjustments. The statement was followed up by text messages for publishing it verbatim.
An emergency meeting of local editors with AMWJU president Ahongsangbam Mobi was held today afternoon to discuss the threat issued through an e-mail sent last evening.
The statement was signed by one L Shyamson Sharma, self styled publicity in charge of KYKL (MDF).
The meeting resolved to condemn the threat and further viewed the charges alleged by the outfit as an intimidation.
It may be mentioned here that there are at least three groups claiming to be factions of the group which broke away from KYKL and some of these factions have been giving pressure to the media to publish their statements and further threatened journalist and hawkers alike.
The media has a responsibility in disseminating newsworthy issues in the larger interest of the public. President of AMWJU appeals the concerned to stop victimizing the press and allow functioning in a congenial atmosphere.
Besides the threat on the editors, the PULF (Akbar) group had threatened all the media houses to publish a news item which is against the guidelines of Press Council of India (PCI).
Taking serious note on the diktat of the militant outfit, the joint meeting resolved to condemn it as the act amounted to violation and challenge to `freedom of press` and decided to reject any press release issued by the militant group in future.
Meanwhile, a group of editors led by AMWJU President A Mobi met the Home Minister and apprised him of the latest developments arising out of the standoff between the editors and the groups threatening the press.
