IJU protests NIA notice to Manipur newspapers

NEW DELHI, JUNE 1 (MExN): The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has strongly protested against the notice issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to some newspapers published from Imphal, Manipur asking them to produce the photo copy of the press statement with its e-mails header, sent by the CorCom.   The press release had claimed that it captured six weapons from the security forces during the May 22 Chandel ambush where six AR jawans were killed. The news of the incident was published in both local and national media.   In an order signed by an Inspector, the NIA said the production of the press statement photo copy with e-mail header was necessary for its investigation.

  “We strongly feel that the action of the NIA is gross interference in free and independent functioning of the media... It is not acceptable and the central probe agency should immediately withdraw the order issued to the local media editors,” a joint statement from IJU President, SN Sinha; Secretary General, Amar Devulapalli; and Press Council of India (PCI) member, K Amarnath said reacting to the NIA notice.   The IJU leaders urged upon the PCI to take suo motu cognizance of the notice of the NIA to the Editors of Manipur media and suitable action to defend the freedom of the press in the sensitive state of Manipur.