Imphal, October 29 2010: Scribes returned to work today even though the threats imposed on them still persist.

The publication of newspapers also resumed after a three day suspension.

Scribes on Thursday took out a protest rally against constant threats posed by militants criticizing their act as "Might is right in animal planet" .

In response to a memorandum submitted by the scribes under the banner of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU), Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has promised for providing security to the media houses and intensify patrolling in areas concerned.

Earlier, scores of journalists, gathered at the Manipur Press Club at Major Khul, the marched in a protest rally towards Chief Minister's Bungalow, Babupara and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister requesting him to provide security to the media persons and media houses.

In the memorandum, they stated that the Kangleipak Communist Party (Mobile Task Force) led by Kesho Meitei has threatened media persons against publication of a statement issued by KCP (Mobile Task Force) led by Sunil Meetei.

It also informed that Kesho Meitei group sent its cadres to the newspaper offices on October 26 evening to issue threats to editors, media persons and newspaper hawkers.

As a result all Imphal based newspapers suspended publication since October 27, they informed the Chief Minister requesting him to provide protection to media persons and offices and also to create an environment where media persons could function without any disturbance and interference.

They expressed concern over the repeated threats posed to the media by armed militants.

In response to the request of the scribes, Chief Minister, O Ibobi assured of detailing security forces in and around the media houses apart from intensifying security in Imphal areas to check intrusion of militants.

Following the assurance from the Chief Minister, the scribes, back from the Chief Minister's bungalow, converged at Keishampat Power House gate where they staged a sit-in protest till 3.30 pm.

At the protest sites, slogans like 'Might is right in animal planet', 'Don't threaten media in the name of revolutionaries', 'Allow us work freely', 'No reason for interfering in the media discharging their duty,' etc were displayed.

Later, scribes again gathered at Manipur Press Club to discuss the latest development with reference to the assurance given by the Chief Minister to protect media persons and media houses.

The meeting which continued till late evening discussed mainly on the resumption of functioning of media houses.

But, no definite decision was taken till the filing of this report.

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