Journalists piqued with attitude of Manipur govt

Imphal, Nov 25: The journalists in Manipur are piqued with the attitude of the state government as it failed to take substantial step over the killing of a journalist on November 17.

Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh had given verbal assurance to some media representatives on November 19 to arrest those who were responsible for the killing of a young journalist.

Konsam Rishikanta (23), junior Sub-Editor of an English daily, the Imphal Free Press was shot dead by unknown persons on November 17 at Langol, Imphal West.

To protest the killing of the scribe and the failure of the government to follow up the matter the journalists are on stir from November 19 and publication of newspapers ceased for the sixth consecutive day today.

The broadcast of all news channels have also been stopped as journalists were staging sit-in protest here at Keishampat.

The journalists have also decided to take out a protest rally tomorrow.

All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) president S Hemant said the scribes demand judicial enquiry into the incident.

Representatives of the Editors' Guild had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, he added.

The prime minister expressed grave concern over the killings of journalists in Manipur and Assam.

Unidentified gunmen had also shot dead journalist Jagajit Saikia at Kokrajhar in Assam on Saturday.

The prime minister has spoken to the chief ministers of both the states advising them to take immediate steps for prompt and fair investigations into the killings.

UNI