Imphal, July 4 (NNN): A three-member delegation of Press Council of India (PCI) arrived in Imphal on Monday in a two-day visit state to assess the current status of journalists.
“The recent NIA action against the Manipur scribes triggered our visit to the state,” Convenor of the PCI team, Rabindra Kumar told pressmen upon their arrival at Imphal Airport.
A team of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) led by its president Wangkhemcha Shamjai received the PCI team at the airport. Rabindra expressed concern over the frequent disturbances meted out to working journalists here by both state-actors and non-state actors. Rabindra proposed for framing a guideline to ensure proper functioning of the media.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) had recently summoned all editors of media houses here as part of its ongoing probe into the killing of 6 Assam Rifles personnel in a militants ambush at Zoupi of Chandel district along Indo-Myanmar border on May 22 this year.
It came exactly a year after the biggest ambush on the military took place at Paraolon in Chandel, in which as many as 17 soldiers of the 6 Dogra regiment were killed and another 16 injured. AMWJU has lodged a complaint with PCI over the NIA action which the union feels has caused serious apprehension that could interfere in the freedom of the press.
The visiting PCI team is likely also to call on Chief Minister Okram Ibob Singh, Deputy CM Gaikhangam and Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore Singh. The team will hold discussion on the current problems faced by the state scribes and also their safety. AMWJU sources said a full session of PCI may take place here this year.
