NFNE supports Manipur journalists' agitation
Civil bodies condemn Mobi's arrest
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Guwahati/Imphal, January 05 2011:
National Federation of Newspapers Employees has extended moral support to the agitating journalists of Manipur, who have been demanding an unconditional release of an editor of a local daily.
The media persons of the State under the banner of All Manipur Working Journalists Union pushed the authority for the release of Ahongsangbam Mobi Singh, editor of Sanaleibak, who was arrested by the police on December 27 for an alleged link with the militants.
Claiming that the charges against the editor are baseless, the Manipur journalists have taken the path of agitation on December 29 and since then no newspapers have been published.
Even a local cable television network Information Service Television also stooped airing news since then.
Mobi Singh, who is the vice-president of AMWJU, was produced before an Imphal court same day and he was remanded to police custody till January 5 .
NFNE secretary Nava Thakuria has also urged the O.Ibobi Singh government at Imphal to take appropriate actions such that the journalists of the State can function with their wisdom and no way with any fear and dismay.
Meanwhile, condemnation of police for arresting Mobi poured in from various civil organisations.
The Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) while expressing strong condemnation to the act of the police said that the body is against subjugating the freedom of expression of media thereby suppressing the right to information of the masses.
Editor of Sanaleibak, Mobi should be released and ensure protection of right to information of the people.
The All Communities' United Front, Manipur (ACUF) also condemned the arrest of Mobi and demanded that he should be released unconditionally.
If he is not released at the earliest, the body will treat the government as anti-people and will launch agitation against the government, a statement of the body said.