The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) launched a three day sit-in starting from Saturday, protesting against the death threat to A. Mobi, editor of The Sanaleibak and spokesperson of the journalists' union.
The threat was made by a proscribed underground organisation over phone. The union has said that if the outfit did not tender an apology and revoke the threat, there will be more agitations.
The protest is being held at Keishampat here.
This place has become the permanent venue for protests by journalists, who launch agitations and cease work quite often as they have been targeted by militants.
No newspaper hits stands
A few days ago, no newspaper hit the stands for two days in protest against the abusive language and threats by the same outfit. However, fresh threats were held out to the AMWJU spokesperson. On Friday night, Mr. Mobi could not return home for reasons of security.
Patrolling to be intensified
A top-ranking police officer said patrolling in the general area of the newspaper office would be intensified. Armed policemen stood guard near the protest site. There were placards asking armed rebels not to victimise journalists. One placard asked the particular outfit to tender an apology and revoke the death threat. There has been no response from the outfit.
While the journalists were staging the sit-in, an Islamic militant outfit sent an SMS to some editors asking them to publish its press handout without fail.
Defence Ministry upset
Reports say that the Defence Ministry has taken a serious view of the way the press in Manipur is covering the handouts of proscribed rebel groups in Manipur.
The matter was referred to the Union Home Ministry. The report said that the banned organisations were using the newspapers in the State as their mouthpieces.
