Newspaper stands empty in this state for the 2nd straight day

Imphal: People of Manipur could not read newspapers for the second day today due to stir by media persons against a bomb attack at the office of a newspaper office.

The media fraternity has demanded unconditional apology and assurance not to repeat such attack on the media. A hand grenade was thrown at the office of a local vernacular daily, Poknapham on Feb 13 which did not explode . It was detonated by Manipur Police personnel.

N Biren Singh , Chief Minister has assured to provide adequate security to media houses and condemnations were pouring in from all sections of the society.

In a press statement IJU President and former member of Press Council of India, Geetartha Pathak and Vice President of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Secretary General of IJU Sabina Inderjit expressed grave concern at the frequent attacks on media

houses and Journalists of the state. IJU leaders demanded that the state government investigate the incident of bomb attack and bring the culprits to book. IJU also urged the state government to ensure safety and security of journalists and media houses of Manipur.

Manipur Information Minister, Th Biswajit said he was distressed to know about the hand grenade attack by some unidentified miscreants .He condemned the cowardly attack upon the media in an attempt to strangulate the freedom of expression. This kind of attacking the fourth pillar of democracy through coercing means to dictate the media to toe on their mischievous injunctions will never be acceptable in democracy he added.

There is no place in a civilized society for such an act of threatening the media persons who are working 24x7 with dedication for the welfare of the people, he further said. A general body meeting of the state journalists has been convened today to discuss the development and take a decision on the stir.(UNI)