Manipur: AMWJU meets to discuss killing of scribe

Imphal, Nov 27: The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) today convened a general body meeting at the Press Club here to discuss the issue of the killing of a scribe by unknown armed miscreants.

The members of the union also decided to conduct an enquiry into the matter as to why the government had failed to nab the culprits.

The scribes took out a rally yesterday at Imphal to protest the killing of a scribe on November 17 at Langol, Imphal West. Konsam Rishikanta (23) of Ningomthong, Imphal, worked as a junior Sub Editor of an English daily 'The Imphal Free Press'.

The scribes also continued their stir from November 19. There were no newspapers for the eighth day today and broadcast of all news channels have been stopped for the ninth day today.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had given verbal assurance to some media representatives on November 19 to nab the assailants.

Only after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh intervened and spoke the Chief Minister, some initiatives were taken up.

The Manipur government agreed to conduct an enquiry into the case. However, it is not clear if the enquiry will be done by the Manipur police or the case would be handed over to the CBI.

The Prime Minister had expressed concern over the recent killings of two journalists in Manipur and Assam. Unidentified gunmen had also on shot journalist Jagajit Saikia in Kokrajhar town in Assam on Saturday.

The Prime Minister had spoken to the Chief Ministers of both the states advising them to take immediate steps for prompt and fair investigation into the killings.

He also asked the Chief Ministers to take adequate measures to strengthen the security and safety measures for all the journalists in their states.

The AMWJU also demanded compensation as per the Centre's scheme for the victims of terrorist violence.

UNI