AMWJU celebrates 38th foundation day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 16 2011:
The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) celebrated its 38th foundation day at Manipur Press Club here today.
The main feature of the foundation day celebration was felicitation of retired journalists and former office bearers of AMWJU.
The function presided by AMWJU president A Mobi was also attended by Works Minister K Ranjit, IFC Minister N Biren, Health Minister L Jayantakumar and State Planning Board Deputy Chairman Bijoy Koijam as presidium members.
Addressing the function, Ranjit observed that many issues and problems which are otherwise unheard of in other parts of the world have been happening in the tiny State of Manipur.
He lauded the responsibility being shouldered by journalists in the midst of UG threats and communal issues.
Ranjit stated that the media has been providing valuable information about remote areas of the State and their living conditions which are otherwise inaccessible by bureaucrats.
He went to claim that the media was his guide.
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Ranjit also hailed the sense of fairness and sensitivity of the journalists in the backdrop of the tense situation prevailing in the State where any discrepancy or error in reporting could spark off disastrous conflicts.
IFC and CAF& PD Minister N Biren underscored the importance of the Government and the journalists to work together in resolving the myriad issues plaguing the State.
The agitation for declaring Sadar Hills as a full fledged district has stretched on for too long.
Both the people and the Government are exhausted.
The Government has been patiently waiting to resolve the issue through dialogue, and at the same time the State has been negotiating so as to avert any bandh on the issue of Jiribam district demand, Biren stated.
Even as the Government has been allotting fuel oils to oil pumps daily, people have been standing in long queues whole night to get some litres of petrol or diesel.
Under such circumstances, it is questionable if some people have been capitalising on the situation to run a flourishing black market of petrol and diesel.
When the State is facing shortage of fuel oils, NRL tankers have been refusing to ship in fuel oils contending that transportation charges given to them is not enough.
These defiant NRL tankers would be served show cause notice very soon, Biren stated.
Saying that media is the eye and ear of a democratic State, Health Minister Jayantakumar stated that journalists have big roles to play in safeguarding the ideal norms of democracy.
AMWJU president Mobi said that the union has been working to address and remove all kinds of threats and harassments to media persons through dialogue.