IMPHAL, February 13: The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) called a press meet on Thursday regarding the incident in which A Chaoba alias Dhananjoy Sharma of the IFP was assaulted on February 10 around 11.30 p.m. by IRB personnel near the Kangla Northern Gate.
In the press meet, AMWJU president W Samjai said: “The Imphal police station has registered an FIR no. 59(2) 2014 IPU/US 325/34 IPC on 12 February by delaying one day after complaint was put. The police verbally mentioned that the errant personnel had been suspended. According to the situation, AMWJU will not hold Dharnas or strikes but will take the legal route.”
The Indian Journalists Union has also filed a case with the Press Council of India to take action against the incident. The resignation of Vice-president Dalip has been accepted and Ratan Luwangcha will occupy his post. He will be the representative of AMJWU from March 1 to 3 at the National Executive Council meeting in Bangalore, he added before expressing that a football match between the journalists’ body and Maniwood has been organised in relation with the Exhibition of Second Geno Co-Operate.
He also mentioned about the suggestions of the Wage Board which the Supreme Court has ordered to be implemented in the state and country as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, a press release from SP (NAB), S Gautam Singh, also the PRO of the Police Department, has stated that based on the reports of a fact finding enquiry on the alleged assault of a senior reporter of IFP, Md Majibur Rahman,Havildar of 1st IRB has been placed under suspension with effect from 11 February by an order of the Commandant, 1st IRB.
The press release further stated that ADGP (Armed Police) has issued instructions to all the Cos of MR/IRB battalions to ensure that men on duty are polite but firm in dealing with the public. It further instructs to take stern action against those police personnel who are high handed and use more than
minimum force required.
Meanwhile, the All Jiribam Working Journalist Union has organised a meeting to condemn the physical assault of IFP senior reporter Aribam Dhananjoy alias Chaoba by an IRB team.
A press release of the union has said that such activities of the state security forces need monitoring.
Journalists neither have friends or foes while attending to their duties and there is no reason for a journalist to fear any relative of VIP including the ministers or the chief minister, it said before adding that security forces will not get gallantry award for killing or assaulting journalists.
It further said that the relationship between security forces and journalists would continue to be volatile unless the government of Manipur try to contain such unwanted activities of the irresponsible security personnel.