Committee constituted into harassment of media persons

• 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.
• 
  
• Meanwhile, a joint emergency meeting of AMWJU and EGM held in Imphal resolved to launch their proposed pen down strike on Wednesday and resume normal activities tomorrow (Thursday). However, the meeting decided to boycott the state government related news including state and central forces operating in the state until the submission of the report of the inquiry committee and take further steps.
•  
  
• It also resolved to submit a recommendation to the state chief secretary to modify the order issued in connection with the institution of an inquiry committee by incorporating the recommendation of penalty to those who due to their acts had caused the confusion leading to the harassment of the journalists.