- IMPHAL — Manipur
government has constituted a two-member inquiry committee to examine the facts
and circumstances around the incident involving alleged harassment of
journalists by security personnel en-route to cover the 5th state Shirui Lily
Festival in Ukhrul district.
- “The governor of Manipur is pleased to constitute an inquiry
committee to examine the facts and circumstances around the incident involving
security personnel and Manipur state road transport bus carrying media
personnel to cover the Manipur Shirui festival 2025 on May 20, 2025 near
Gwaltabi check post, Imphal East district,” says state Chief Secretary PK Singh
in an order on Wednesday.
Also read: Manipur scribes to launch pen down strike on May 21
- “The inquiry committee shall consist of N Ashok Kumar,
Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, and Th Kirankumar Singh, Secretary
(IT), Government of Manipur.”
- Stating that the committee would look into lapses if any and
suggest measures to prevent recurrence of such a situation in future, it said
that, “The enquiry committee shall submit its report within 15 days.”
- It may be stated that on May 20, a team of media persons
headed to Ukhrul district to cover the inaugural function of Shirui Lily
Festival was allegedly directed by personnel of Mahar Regiment to hide or cover
or conceal the words "Manipur State Transport" displayed on their
official bus when the team reached Gwaltabi checkpoint, around 25 km north of
Imphal.
- The directive from central forces raised concern and
confusion among the media persons, who questioned the logic behind hiding a
state government name while operating within the same state.
- In response to the incident, media persons in Manipur under
the banner of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild
Manipur (EGM) decided to launch a pen down strike by suspending all normal
duties on May 21 in protest against the incident which leads to widespread
condemnation by journalist bodies, Kohima Press Club and Ukhrul District
Working Journalists Association (UDWJA) among others.
