The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) on Sunday rescinded its decision not to publish news related to Civic Action Programme and success stories of the Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF).
A joint statement said that AMWJU, EGM, editors, Group Centre, CRPF, Langjing DIG PK Nair and junior officers along with members who were victimised held a meeting and reached an agreement at Manipur Press Club on Friday.
DIG PK Nair expressed his sincere and heartfelt regret over the untoward incidents and further extended his apologies during the meeting, it said. Giving his assurance to prevent such incidents from occurring again in the future, he spoke on the need for the CRPF and the media to maintain a cordial relationship in the future, it mentioned
In another meeting with AMWJU, EGM and editors on Sunday, the prevailing scenario and recent developments were deliberated and the decision to lift the ban on CRPF and RAF related news was lifted, it further said.
It may be recalled that on the evening of June 16, a team of RAF allegedly harassed AMWJU general secretary A Jiten, sports secretary M Khgemba and member Ibungo Laishram at Kakwa as they were returning home, it said.
Following the incident, a joint meeting of the AMWJU and EGM on June 20 resolved not to publish any reports related to CRPF and the RAF, it added.
It said that on June 23, RAF personnel allegedly assaulted Union member Haobam Pravinkumar at Khurai. On the same evening, a team of central security forces allegedly vandalised the residence of the internal auditor of the Union Nabakumar Khagokpam at Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai, it mentioned. The incident reaffirmed the decision taken by the AMWJU and EGM on June 29, it added.
