Imphal, December 15 2010: Owing to apparent inefficiency on the part of the State officials concerned a meeting between a delegation of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Union home Minister P chidambaram held today Raj Bhavan ensued in an incordial manner.

As per an invitation from the Deputy Commissioner (Imphal West) K Radhakanta that Chidambaram wishes to meet some members of AMWJU, a seven-member team led by president Khogendra Khomdram called on the Home Minister this afternoon.

Even as the AMWJU delegation entered Raj Bhavan the Home Minister declined to take questions raised to him with the insistence that he obliged to meet the State scribes as information was conveyed that it was the AMWJU expressed desire to meet him.

After a brief exchange of unhealthy words and within the five minutes provided for the meeting, the AMWJU nevertheless put forth various inconveniences being endured by mediapersons in the State, said a release.

Among others the AMWJU team proposed lifting of protected area permit as enforcing such a system is detrimental to the very purpose and aspiration of the Government for development of tourism in the State.

The scribes also desired setting up a 'press enclave' for the very fact that high-handedness of security forces operating in the State as well as frequent interferences accompanied by threats from some armed groups expose the mediapersons to undesired consequences.

moreover, lack of progress in the investigation by CBI sleuths into the controversial killing of Imphal Free Press sub-editor Konsam Rishikanta was also highlighted to the Union Minister.

Even though P Chidambaram neither made any assurance or gave commitment to plight of the State scribes, the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who was also present at the meeting assured necessary action to safeguard the mediapersons even he too conceded that full proof security to each and every scribe would be impossible.

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