IMPHAL, February 21: The Editors`™ Guild Manipur has said in a release that with regret it is compelled to announce the boycott of the Chief Minister of Manipur, his Council of Ministers and all ruling MLAs.
The step was taken following the passing of the deadline February 20 the guild set after a series of meeting of the EGM which had patiently waited for the Chief Minister to fulfil assurances given by him on charter of demands of the EGM, it further said.
The EGM had among others demanded the removal of Th Syamo, APO (Press), DIPR for verbally assaulting and physically threatening the president of EGM A Mobi when he visited his office along with the secretary general EGM Yumnam Rupachandra, it said.
As no action was forthcoming, the EGM has been boycotting the DIPR to send a message to the government. However despite three months having elapsed and several rounds of talk with the Chief Minister, the latter is yet to take any tangible action, it said.
The EGM once again reiterated its demand for removal of Syamo from the post of APO (Press) and to replace him with someone who respects the media, it said.
The EGM also reminded the Chief Minister to take up necessary action to address its other demands, including making an advertising policy as soon as possible to enable EGM to lift the boycott, the statement said.
`The EGM is saddened by the fact that it has to resort to boycotting the above mention functionaries of the government to draw the attention of the government to our grievances` the statement said, adding `However the hand of the EGM has been forced as the government failed to hear us despite repeated appeals`.
As per decision of the EGM, fresh negotiation can only begin after Syamo is removed, it said.
As per the boycott terms, affiliates of EGM will not give any coverage to the press meets, functions, clarifications, achievements, tours etc. of the functionaries mentioned above till an understanding is reach, it said.
The EGM also appealed to the public to bear with it during boycott, it added.