Manipur media shuts down on May 21 to protest harassment of journalists by security forces
Guwahati: Media in
Manipur
have resolved to suspend publication on May 21, in protest against alleged
harassment of journalists
by security personnel at Gwaltabi, Imphal East.
The journalists were enroute to
Shirui Lily Festival
in Ukhrul however they returned from the way alleging harassment by security personnel.
The decision was jointly announced by the
All Manipur Working Journalists' Union
(AMWJU) and the
Editors' Guild Manipur
(EGM) following an emergency meeting held in Imphal.
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According to the statement issued, the media fraternity also submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur. The memorandum demanded accountability and appropriate punitive actions against those responsible for organizing the Shirui Lily Festival without ensuring the safety and dignity of the media.
The demands include penal action against officials and personnel involved in the alleged harassment. Disciplinary measures against those in charge of the area where the incident occurred.A directive to the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to consult relevant stakeholders more effectively to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
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The AMWJU and EGM announced a one-day Pen-Down Strike, with the possibility of an extension if the issue remains unresolved. They have also decided to boycott all news and information related to the
Manipur State Government
and Central and State security forces operating in the state, until a satisfactory explanation and resolution are provided.
The incident occurred at the Gwaltabi checkpoint, about 25 km from Imphal, when a media team was en route to cover the inaugural function of the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul. The team, comprising around 20 journalists and staff from the DIPR, was traveling in a bus arranged by the DIPR, marked with the signage 'Manipur State Transport.'
Security personnel at the Gwaltabi checkpoint allegedly asked the team to conceal the 'Manipur State Transport'. The media team decided to return to Imphal, abandoning their assignment.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) Member and Senior Spokesperson of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, voiced serious concern over the prolonged restrictions on free movement in Manipur.
Meitei stated that the
Congress party
was deeply disturbed by the continued inability of both the Union Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state administration—currently under President's Rule—to ensure the fundamental right to free movement for all citizens across the state since May 3, 2023.
Referring to reports of a Manipur State Transport Corporation bus carrying media personnel to the Shirui Lily Festival 2025 in Ukhrul being stopped by security forces, he said it was shocking to learn that the name 'Manipur' on the bus had to be covered and that journalists were allegedly told not to use the word.
He questioned how a government could expect ordinary citizens to feel safe when even a state transport vehicle cannot move freely within its own jurisdiction.
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) described it as "a deliberate attempt to delegitimize the authority and very existence of the state of Manipur within its own territory" by members of the Indian Army stationed at the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East.
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam , Lok Sabha MP from Manipur stated, 'This is absolutely unacceptable! Security forces compelling people to remove "Manipur" from the signage of the Manipur State Road Transport (Corporation)!It gives credence to the familiar allegation of the complicity of the elements in the Central Security forces with those forces in seeking to destroy (the idea of) Manipur!.'
He added, ' This is over and above being another example of the chaotic nature of the coordination among different agencies of the state that has hitherto marked the Manipur tragedy. The government must take appropriate measures to punish these rogue elements'.
Shirui Lily Festival, mostly organised by the Meitei community, is celebrated in honour of the state flower, Shirui Lily.
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