Manipur Govt Orders Inquiry into Obstruction of Journalists

Ukhrul, May 21: In response to the recent incident involving the alleged harassment of journalists en route to cover the Shirui Lily Festival, the Government of Manipur has constituted an official Inquiry Committee to investigate the matter and recommend preventive measures.

Per an official order issued by the Home Department today, the inquiry will examine the circumstances surrounding the obstruction of a Manipur State Road Transport bus carrying media personnel near the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East District on 20 May 2025.

The incident on May 20 involved security personnel reportedly stopping the media team from proceeding to Ukhrul district, leading to widespread condemnation by journalist bodies, including AMWJU, EGM, Kohima Press Club, UDWJA among others.

Related | Journalists Reportedly Asked to Hide ‘Manipur’ Label on State Bus En Route to Shirui Lily Festival

The two-member Inquiry Committee comprises of N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner (Home), Government of Manipur, and Th. Kirankumar Singh, Secretary (IT), Government of Manipur. The committee has been tasked with identifying any lapses that occurred and proposing measures to avoid such incidents in the future.

The committee is expected to submit its report within 15 days.

It may be mentioned that the Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Association (UDWJA), had welcomed the journalists team to Ukhrul for the State Level Shirui Lily Festival 2025.