Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Jul 29:
Taking serious note of the threat issued by the Kuki Revolutionary Army against the Imphal Free Press, over a news item, the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union has expressed its strong opposition to such threats and intimidation dubbing it as an interference in the freedom of the press.
However, in a late night development the matter has been sorted out.
Senior KRA leader DT Haokip said that the threat on IFP has been sorted out amicably and all restrictions whatsoever imposed on the newspaper has been removed.
Earlier an emergency meeting of AMWJU was convened this evening to discuss the issued against the newspaper establishment and resolved that such threats violates the freedom of expression enshrined under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
On the other hand, the Code of Conduct (Local Adjustment) which was worked out by AMWJU and which has now been entrusted to the Editors' Forum, Manipur clearly states that if any organisation or anyone develops any differences with any newspaper the matter should be put up before AMWJU (now EFM) before any action is announced.
The threat issued by the KRA clearly violates this, said the statement and added that this resolution has been highlighted in the press many times earlier.
All the organisations in Manipur have also been asked many times, that news items relayed through the telephones will not be entertained but till today numerous organisations continue to pile up the pressure by contacting the newspaper offices and delivering news through the phone, said AMWJU and urged all the concerned to ponder over this point.
AMWJU also appealed to all newspaper houses not to entertain any news given over the phone by strangers.
The meeting also decided to appeal to the KRA to retract their threat.