Imphal: At lest 3 media persons, covering New Checkon fresh flare-up in Imphal East were assaulted while covering the incident that erupted on Monday afternoon.
Three journalists, Soram Inaoba and Johnson of Mami TV, ANI video-journalist B Dayananda received blows from lathi-charge reportedly carried out by infantry personnel of the Jat Regiment, Indian Army.
Soram Inaoba suffered injuries on his head and right hand while Johnson suffered injuries on his head and other body parts. ANI cameraperson, B Dayananda sustained minor injury. The injured media persons were given first aid at Remedy Hospital in Palace Compound.
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According to sources, the situation could have turned grim had the Manipur Police Commando not intervened on time.
The army personnel reportedly kept on lathi-charging media persons despite wearing Press Identity Card and Press Jacket.
In one instance, the army personnel even pulled off the Press Jacket and lathi-charged the media persons.
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Video footage captured by media persons were forcefully asked to be removed by the Jat Regiment personnel allegedly.
The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) members led by President Bijoy Kakchingtabam met with the injured journalists. AMWJU condemned the physical assault on media persons by the Indian army.
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A meeting was convened today evening joined by AMWJU, Editors Guild Manipur and Hills Journalist Union Manipur at Manipur Press Club. The emergency meeting resolved to stop publishing any news related to the Indian Army.
It may also be mentioned that the journalists’ organisations and media houses in Manipur temporarily rolled back their decision to cease work which was scheduled to begin from May 19 due to the State government’s continual snapping of the internet.
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