Inspite of an agreement between representatives of the JAC, formed in connection with the killing of Konsam Rishi-kanta Singh and the State Government, the print and electronic media under the aegis of All manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) will suspend publication and broadcast of news item for an indefinite period with effect from tomorrow.Decision to cease publication of newspapers from November 20 onwards was adopted at an emergency general body meeting of AMWJU held this afternoon at Manipur Press Club, Major Khul.Among many other resolutions, it was decided to stage sit-in-protest till the culprits involved in shooting death Rishikanta are pulled up or identified.The meeting was convened to deliberate over the future course of action in the aftermath of gunning down of 22-year-old K Ri-shikanta, who was a Junior Sub Editor of the Imphal Free Press daily.Rishikanta’s bullet riddled body was found at near the Langol Hill range second home of the endan- gered brow-antler deer (Sangai) last evening.Taking grim note of constant threat looming large over the journalist community of the State who have to dispense duties in an insecure atmosphere due to the prevailing conflict situation besetting manipur, senior journalists who addressed the meeting pointed out that Rishikanta is the sixth scribe to die an unnatural death.Two journalists working in Churachandpur-based dailies and three others of Imphal-based dailies were shot dead in the past.Conceding that journalists working in a conflict si- tuation like Manipur always face uncertainties the spea-kers also cautioned that as the journalists are wedged in between dichotomy of State and non-State actors the risks are even more.Moreover, the fact that perpetrator/s of the criminal act ignored AMWJU’s standing appeal to either intimate Editor concerned or the scribes’ body in case any media person are found working in violation of norms of journalism, the meeting expressed concern that certain individuals or groups do not understand or acknowledge contributions of the news media to the Manipuri society.Media personnel becoming a soft target of individuals with vested interest also came under sharp scrutiny at the congregation.......click here to know more
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