Manipur journalists slam government over May 20 incident

IMPHAL — Manipur journalists held a sit-in protest on Monday, condemning the state government's inaction over the May 20, 2025, incident where media personnel were obstructed at Gwaltabi.

Holding placards with slogans, some of which read ‘Let Gwaltabi speak: We are the people's eyes and ears’ and ‘Don't block the news - Let the people know,’ numerous journalists from the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) participated in a sit-in demonstration at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai Community Hall in Imphal. The protest, held from 10 am to 1 pm, was a culmination of a joint meeting decision by AMWJU and EGM.

The sit-in demonstration was held 45 days after the May 20 incident, where journalists covering the Shirui Lily Festival were unlawfully stopped at Gwaltabi, 25 km north of Imphal, in a move seen as a blatant attack on press freedom and the public's right to information.

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The AMWJU stated that the state government’s inaction and lack of clarification on the Gwaltabi incident, despite repeated appeals, is seen as a serious threat to press freedom.

“We’re asking the government to break the silence. We want to know what action has been taken against the officials responsible,” said general secretary Yumnam Rupachandra of EGM.

“We may scale up the protest if no response is coming forward from the government.”

It may be recalled that the Manipur government had previously formed a two-member inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged harassment of journalists by security personnel on their way to cover the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district.