Ukhrul, May 21: The Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Association (UDWJA) has strongly condemned the alleged harassment and obstruction faced by a team of journalists at the hands of security personnel from the 4 Mahar Regiment. The incident reportedly occurred while the media team was en route to cover the 5th State-Level Shirui Lily Festival in Manipur’s Ukhrul district.
UDWJA in a press statement on Wednesday expressed deep concern and solidarity with the affected journalists, stating that the actions of the security forces represented a serious infringement on press freedom.
According to the statement, UDWJA had arranged accommodation and food for a team of more than 20 journalists and staff from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), who were invited to cover the event. However, the media team was forced to cancel their trip after being denied permission to proceed beyond the Gwaltabi checkpoint, approximately 25 kilometers from Imphal, allegedly due to security concerns, despite prior arrangements and assurances of safety from law enforcement.
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UDWJA further maintained that the incident occurred despite clear claims of adequate security provisions and described the restriction as an unjustified curtailment of press freedom.
“We condemn any actions that curtail freedom of the press, irrespective of the community affiliation of the media personnel and irrespective of the authorities perpetrating such harassment upon the press fraternity,” the statement read.
UDWJA urged relevant authorities to take immediate action against those responsible for the obstruction, labeling the incident a blatant violation of journalists’ rights. The UDWJA also called for preventative measures to ensure such incidents do not recur, in order to safeguard the integrity and safety of the press.