The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) on Tuesday strongly decried the attempt to attack a team of journalists at Henjang village in Kangpokpi district, Manipur.
As many as five journalists were covering the military operations of destroying bunkers and area domination by the Army, a release stated.
The media team was led by a Colonel of the Kumaon Regiment along with Henjang village chief Kammang Lhouvum, it stated.
(PHOTO: The Kumaon Regiment personnel with Henjang village chief Kammang Lhouvum)
The journalists entered the village along with the army, following an invitation by the village chief to cover a public meeting held in the village community hall, AMWJU stated.
On reaching the community hall, a large number of villagers confronted the journalists using derogatory words and took away the cameras ordering them to delete the footage, it mentioned. Subsequently, the Kumaon Regiment Commander let the journalists into their vehicles, it added.
However, the villagers swarmed the vehicle demanding the journalists to not leave the place, it stated. To avoid any untoward incident, the army jawan encircled the vehicle and later escorted the media team from the village, it added.
Terming the intimidation as unfortunate, AMWJU stated that it does not take the issue lightly.
In the wake of reports of journalists being harassed by security forces, the act of Henjang village is uncalled for, it said. AMWJU considers the act as an infringement on freedom of speech and expression, it mentioned, appealing to the village not to repeat such acts in the future.
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