IMPHAL, September 5: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in a statement said that it is alarmed to learn of a two-day shutdown by newspapers Manipur, following explicit threats from an underground armed group that the distribution of newspapers not publishing its statements would be blocked and their personnel attacked.
The statement came in after the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), a unit of the IFJ-affiliated Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU) briefed the Federation over the situation in Manipur following the suspension of newspaper distribution for two days beginning 1 September by vendors under the threat of violent retribution by the underground group.
IJU representatives on the Press Council of India (PCI) have brought the matter to the attention of its chairman, Justice Markandey Katju, who has written to the chief minister of Manipur, asking that all necessary measures be taken to ensure that journalists are able to function in an atmosphere free of fear.
“We applaud partners in the AWMJU for their consistent and tireless fight for journalists working in the highly challenging environment in Manipur”, said the IFJ Asia Pacific.
“The code of conduct that AMWJU has evolved to deal with the situation of multiple insurgencies in the state, is an example for journalists in other regions that face similar complexities”.
“We call on the state government in Manipur and the security agencies of the Indian government deployed in the state, to respond to the urgent calls from AWMJU that conditions be secured for safeguarding journalists’ rights and the public right to know”.