Mail News Service
Imphal, Aug 13 : Members of the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) yesterday took out a protest rally against bomb attack at the residence AMWJU president, A. Mobi Singh located at Thongju Part-11 Pechu Lampak, Imphal East yesterday around 8.10 pm. The grenade exploded at the courtyard of the house. The president was inside his house when the attack came.
After taking out the rally the members discussed about the situation with Home Minister, Gaikhangam. The Home Minister condemned the bomb attack on the residence of the AMWJU. He immediately asked senior police officials to nab the culprits. The AMWJU also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh.
The CM was informed that the attack could have caused many casualties. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident has created a fear psychosis among media persons so much so that functioning of media houses has been severely disturbed.
That, the attack followed recent threats to media persons including bomb hoax calls to media offices from certain organisations.
In view of the above facts and circumstances, the AMWJU demanded secure environment where media persons can work freely and without fear. It also demanded full proof security cover for residents of Editors and office bearers of AMWJU. It demanded that village defence force (VDF) personnel deployed at media houses should be replaced with armed state police personnel.
It lastly demanded an enquiry into the incident to find out collaborators and also to book them. The AMWJU had also convened an emergency general body meeting at Press Club which concluded at 2 pm. After the GBM the rally was taken out.
A . Mobi President said he has been receiving threats repeatedly from militant outfits for refusal to publish news items of some militant groups. Regarding yesterday’s bomb attack he said he was inside his house and his family members had gone out. The place where the bomb landed was the place where he normally works daily in his laptop he said. As the journalists were all closeted for the meeting no newspapers hit the stands today. During the general body meeting the members condemned the bomb attack and appealed to all to respect freedom of the press.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/scribes-take-out-rally-gbm-held/
