The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) on Friday condemned the alleged threat to AMWJU RIT Cell member and journalist of a local daily, Khumanthem Dhanachandra by unknown armed miscreants on Thursday.
AMWJU and EGM, in a joint release, apprised of the incident which occurred at Dhanachandra’s residence in Naoremthong Laishram Leikai around 8.45 pm on Thursday, wherein unknown armed miscreants came and allegedly threatened him with dire consequences following a news report purportedly published in the local daily.
It is said that around 10 armed miscreants reportedly came in a four-wheeler and allegedly threatened Dhanachandra, warning him to come at a specific area in Imphal West District, which they told of around 10 am on Friday, it noted. The same was corroborated by his family members, it mentioned.
Acting swiftly, AMWJU and EGM convened a joint meeting at Manipur Press Club Koubru Conference Hall on Friday, wherein both the media bodies decried the misconduct and took several resolutions against the same, while urging not to repeat such act in future, it stated.
It vehemently condemned such repeated threats to press freedom and alleged attempts to silence the journalists. AMWJU and EGM drew the attention of the authorities concerned to look into the matter and demanded to take necessary legal actions against the culprits involved within 5 days, failing which they warned of launching intense agitations, it asserted.
It appealed to the people to give due regard to AMWJU’s Code of Conduct (Local Adjustments). It further urged any individual or groups to approach the concerned Editor of the respective firm or AMWJU or EGM of any complaints or if they are unhappy with any news report instead of taking matters into their own hands.
