Imphal: The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) have strongly condemned the assault of a local reporter by the Manipur police.
The incident occurred on Thursday when senior reporter Mutum Rameshchandra of a local news channel was covering a protest rally by internally displaced persons (IDPs) at Singjamei Akampat in Imphal East.
According to a joint press statement, a police sub-inspector snatched Rameshchandra’s phone and continued to assault him even after he identified himself as a journalist by showing his press card. The reporter was subsequently admitted to a hospital and received four stitches.
“These incidents are alarming and unacceptable, as they undermine the freedom of the press and the right of journalists to perform their duties without fear,” stated AMWJU and EGM.
In response, journalists from the state marched from the Manipur Press Club to the Chief Minister’s residence and handed over a memorandum to Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, demanding swift action against the offending officer within 48 hours.
AMWJU and EGM have resolved not to publish any reports related to state police activities until the issue is addressed.
As per the memorandum, the journalists’ union has called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the attack and demanded that the police officer involved be identified and brought to justice swiftly.
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They also recommended that state police receive strict instructions to respect the presence of media personnel during protests to prevent such incidents.
After the meeting, Rupachandra Yumnam, general secretary of EGM, informed that Chief Minister Biren has assured an inquiry into the incident within two days. Appropriate action will be taken against the police officer if found guilty, he said.
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