Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 27 2009:
The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) has strongly condemned the act of storming and creating ruckus at the offices of The Sangai Express, Poknapham and Naharolgi Thoudang by about 200/300 people belonging to Thoubal Leishangthem and Thoudam under Chief Minister O Ibobi's Thoubal Assembly constituency on the night of September 25 in connection with a news item about the Apunba Lup's poster campaign and rally.
The 200/300 odd people came to the media offices defying restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC.
They were also escorted by police.
The AMWJU has also condemned the act of distributing pamphlets by some people in the name of the people of Leishangthem and Thoudam today which attempted to present media and media persons in the wrong light.
Again those people who distributed the pamphlets were escorted by police, said a press release issued by the AMWJU.
It seemed that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi was attacking the media by misusing the police with the help of some of his supporters.
As such, the AMWJU has decided to boycott the Indira Memorial Club (Leishangthem), Thoudam Wangmataba Women's Development Association, Ikop Ningthou Development Committee (Thoudam Mamang Leikai), Leishangthem Wangmataba Youth Cub, Youth Welfare Association (Leishangthem), Leishangthem Young Sporting Association, Social Development Organisation (Erong Thokchom), Women United Development Organisation (Leishangthem), Women Development Association Leishangthem Makha and Youth Centre (Leishangthem).
Any press release/statement issued by these organisations would not be published until and unless they withdraw the allegations levelled against the media and tender an apology.
The AMWJU further intimated all media offices to put up the names of these organisations in their offices and also to reject any press release/statement issued by these organisations.