Ukhrul, March 19: In a historic first, the Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Assocıation (UDWJA) organised a Naga Journalists’ Conclave from 17 to 19 March 2025 at Magen Hills, Viewland, in Ukhrul district headquarters.
The Conclave revived the defunct union, “the Syndication of Naga Journalists”, established by veteran Naga journalists in 2003. The attending members unanimously decided to rechristen the organization as the ‘Naga Journalists’ Union Manipur` (NJUM) under the motto Connecting Voices, which aims to consolidate the solidarity of Naga journalists in Manipur.
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The three-day Conclave was attended by delegates from five Naga districts: Chandel, Noney, Tamenglong, Senapati, and Ukhrul. Vareiyo Shatsang, General Secretary of the United Naga Council (UNC), attended the event as a proponent, while Witoubou Newmai, Chief Editor of Newmai News Network (NNN), and Sothing Hunphun Awungshi, a senior journalist, were the panelists.
Conclave Secretary Ashin Shaiza stated that during the discussion sessions, Witoubou Newmai spoke on the topic “Bridging the gap,” while Sothing Shimray discussed “The Way Forward”, followed by deliberations on different issues and challenges related to the working conditions of journalists in the Naga hill districts, resulting in the adoption of a series of resolutions.
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Resolutions:
1. Members in attendance resolved to revive the Syndication of Naga Journalists, which was formed by the veteran Naga journalists in 2003, and also to rechristen it as Naga Journalists Union Manipur (NJUM) under the motto Connecting Voices.
2. The members further resolved to constitute an Interim Body headed by the President General Secretary, Vice Presidents, Executive Members and Drafting Committee.
3. The following were nominated to head the Interim Body.
President: Pr. Tennoson, General Secretary: Vangamla Salle KS, and Vice Presidents: District Association Presidents of Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Noney, and Chandel. Executive Members: District Association Secretaries of Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Noney and Chandel.
Drafting Committee members: Witoubou Newmai, Sothing Hunphun Awungshi, and Ngathingkhui Jagoi.
4. The tenure of the Interim Body will continue until the election date, which is tentatively fixed on 14 February 2026.
5. The Drafting Committee will prepare the detailed Memorandum of Association (MoA) for NJUM and table the same to the House on or before December 2025 for final approval.
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