Opposition MLA K Meghachandra on Monday urged IPR Minister Sapam Ranjan to provide necessary protection and assistance for media personnel who are on duty in the field and to monitor the different threats given to journalists.
The Opposition MLA raised the issue while presenting a policy cut motion during a discussion on Information and Publicity on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Expressing his concern over various threats received by media personnel, he informed the House that the media serve as a bridge between the government and the public, aiming to fill the gap between them.
He stated that the media plays a major role in shaping society for both the Opposition and ruling parties.
It is unfortunate that some groups are threatening a media personnel of Imphal Times, an English publication evening paper, the editor of a local vernacular, and recently, a scribe of a local cable TV was physically assaulted by Manipur Police, he said.
He appreciated the swift action of the government in suspending the police officer involved in the assault.
The Opposition MLA questioned the minister through the Assembly floor about the steps to be taken for the safety of media personnel who are discharging their duties in the field around the clock.
IPR Minister S Ranjan, responding to the policy cut motion of the opposition MLA, acknowledged that the media act as a bridge between the government and the public in shaping a society.
He continued that regarding the case of the scribe from Imphal Times, the police are investigating to book the armed miscreants involved in threatening him.
Concerning the life threats on the editor of ‘Naharol Gi Thoudang,’ the government has provided security for his protection, he said.
In the case of the video journalist from the local cable TV, the state Home department has suspended the police officer involved in assaulting the journalist, he mentioned.
Swift action was taken up after representatives of the All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) and Editor Guild’s Manipur (EGM) met Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his residence, Babupara, he said.
He further informed that the government is also taking up various measures for media personnel, including issuing media cards through the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) for free mobility from time to time.
After getting clarification from the IPR minister, Opposition MLA, K Meghachandra withdrew his policy cut motion and the House unanimously passed the demand on the Assembly floor.
