About 200 reporters and paper boys representing the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union and the All Manipur Newspaper Sale and Distributors Association met Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Monday regarding the ban on newspapers in Imphal imposed by certain militant outfits. The outfit had threatened the editors and reporters that they would be shot if they published newspapers and also threatened paper boys who deliver newspapers.
The Chief Minister however only told the reporters and hawkers to wait and watch for some days saying that people who were denied their newspapers would revolt against the ban. Newspapers have not been delivered for the past three days in Imphal.
The reporters and paper boys had taken out a silent procession from press club at 11.30 a.m. and met the Chief Minister to discuss the situation. Mr. Singh said though it was not possible to provide armed guards to all reporters and papers, his government would try to beef up security measures.
The protesting journalists and hawkers however, said while politicians and officials got security round the clock, the people were denied even their newspapers.
