Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday said that media played a great role in transforming the state and extended his gratitude to the state media fraternity for the tireless efforts made in bringing about development and peace in the state.

The chief minister was speaking as chief guest at the celebration of the 47th foundation day of Manipur Press Club at its premises at Majorkhul in Imphal on Thursday. The function was organised by the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU).

Among the several changes brought about in various parts of the state, law and order in the state has improved, Biren said

Lauding the media fraternity, the chief minister said that high respect is given to those who are in this profession.

Expressing his concern about the future of the state, Biren he appealed to mediapersons to analyse the prevailing scenario in the state and come up with a visionary plan for the coming generation.

AMWJU president Wangkhemcha Shamjai said that media fraternity of the state is facing so much challenges and working under great difficulties and st times under life threatening condition. They have been sacrificing their life for the good of the society despite the meagre salary.

He also narrated how AMWJU was formed and the Manipur Press Club was formed. He assured that AMWJU will take an initiative to increase the salary of people in the media fraternity as a responsible union.

The programme was also attended by Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba and Editor's Guild Manipur president Khogendra Khomdram as guests of honour.

As a part of the programme, former Manipur Press Club secretaries and founding members of AMWJU were felicitated.