Manipur govt bans publication of militant-related news

Imphal, Aug 4 (UNI) The Manipur government has decided to stop publication of all news related to insurgents in the state.

Principal Secretary ( Home) P B O Warjri said the action would be taken up under Section 95 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973.

He said nothing should be published which directly ''attributes to unlawful organisations, organised gangs, insurgents and insurgent-related organisations considered to be subversive and threatening the integrity of the state and the country.'' He said, ''Obituary notices showing that the dead person is a martyr in the struggle for an independent and sovereign state and which may contain the names of known terrorists and terrorist-related organisations of unlawful organisations or organised gangs as the sponsors of the advertisment will not be allowed.'' The principal secretary added, ''Publication of threats of any sort by terrorist organisations or unlawful organisations or organised gangs or by a person or group of persons to any person or class of persons will also be not allowed.

Besides, pulication of any justification for killings, causing injury, assault, kidnapping, imposition of fines or warnings by the organisations would be banned, he added.

Publication of notices for payment to terrorist-related organisations or unlawful organisations or organised gangs, invitation to unlawful organisations to settle disputes would also not be allowed.

The order of the principal secretary was today discussed by the All Manipur Working Journalists Union and Editors Forum, Manipur.

UNI