Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 21:
Following a joint meeting between representatives of the Editors' Forum, Manipur, All Manipur Working Journalists' Union and CRPF authority in the presence of Chief Minister-in-charge, Th Debendra, Addl Chief Secretary Saichhuana and Addl DGP Y Joykumar today, the media persons decided to put an end to the current agitation following assurances from the CRPF authority.
The CRPF authority headed by IG AN Srinivasan and two other DIGs expressed regret over the unfortunate incident and assured that such incident will not be allowed to recur.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of the assault of two reporters by CRPF personnel in front of Sajiwa Jail, while the scribes were covering a book burning agitation by Meetei Mayek activists yesterday.
The CRPF IG assured the media persons that an inquiry would be initiated to probe the matter and fixed 1 month as the outer limit for the probe to conclude.
It was also agreed that the inquiry would be conducted in a transparent manner with the participation of the media and appropriate action would be taken up against any personnel found guilty.
The CRPF authority also agreed to bear the medical treatment expenses of the injured reporters.
The digital camera of Poknapham, which was snatched away by the CRPF men yesterday was returned to a staff reporter of the daily, S Sonia in full working condition during the meeting.
The delegates also informed the meeting that all the newspaper houses in Manipur will refrain from attending CRPF functions and not publish their press releases until the inquiry is completed.