IMPHAL, Aug 18: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who is also the Home minister has assured media persons in the State that he will take disciplinary action against the Bishnupur District Police personnel who had assaulted a staff of the Hueiyen Lanpao last night in front of the newspaper`™s office.
The assurance was expressed before a team of the All Manipur Working Journalists`™ Union during a meeting today at the deputy CM`™s office.
It may be mentioned that police had assaulted Hueiyen Lanpao staff Willar Leimapokpam last night around 8:51pm in front of the newspaper`™s office.
Reacting to the police brutality, journalists in Imphal took out a protest rally headed by AMWJU from Manipur Press Club Majorkhul to Nupi Laan Complex to submit a memorandum demanding actions against the rogue police personnel within 48-hour.
A six-member AMWJU team later met the Home minister.
The Home minister tendered apology on behalf of the erring police personnel and assured befitting actions within 48 hours after a lengthy meeting.
During the meeting, the AMWJU team led by president Wangkhemcha Shyamjai showed the Home minister CCTV footages of the incident where the police personnel assaulted the scribe.
The AMWJU team also highlighted the present grievances of the State based media persons during the ongoing movement spearheaded by the JCILPS and the conflict situation in the State.
Harassment of journalists by the police has been a frequent occurrence in the State, the AMWJU president told the Home minister.
In such a hostile situation, the media persons are continuing to carry out their duties he said, and further appealed to the Home minister to look into the issue and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
In his reply, Gaikhangam assured that the incident was unfortunate and the government will ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future.
He also ensured to visit and extend maximum help to the Huiyen Lanpao staff who is undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity.
Meanwhile, residents of Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhrimapal staged a sit in protest against the assault on Willar by the police.