IMPHAL, May 21: “Editors Guild Manipur, is concerned at the incidences in which media persons are harassed, detained and prevented from doing their duties by supporters of 38 hours bandh called by the JCILPS,” said a statement signed by its secretary general Yumnam Rupachandra.
It said “In the latest incident bandh supporters from Liwa Chanam Pukhrimapal area threaten to boycott Sanaleibak Daily and evening daily Pandam over reports of harassment to media person belonging to Pandam on the first day of the 38 hours bandh.”
“An unidentified person who called up Sanaleibak also summoned the editors of the Pandam and Sanaleibak by 1 pm today to their club.”
The EGM condemns both the incident of harassing the Pandam journalist and DTP operator as well as summoning of the editors and appeal to the JCILPS to take steps to stop such harassment of media persons, it said.
“Apart from this incidence media persons have also been harassed at other places around the valley while on duty or returning from work,” it lamented.
The EGM would like to appeal once more to all supporters of any bandh not to prevent media persons from doing their duties which is in the interest of the people in general, it said.
As media houses need support staff to bring out either news bulletin or a publication, we also appeal to the bandh supporters to allow free movement of any person connected with news gathering, news production and news distribution, it said.
“We would also like to appeal to all those calling bandh and blockades to give clear instructions to their supporters not to prevent the media persons from doing their duties. We would also urge the bandh callers to provide an emergency number to the media to contact them in case of any emergencies,” it said.