By IANS,
Imphal : Local newspapers in insurgency-ravaged Manipur failed to appear Sunday as the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) has decided not to publish newspapers to protest the diktats of separatist outfits.
“Kangleipak Communist Party – Military Council (KCP-MC), a militant outfit which was split into two factions two months back, had threatened the editors and journalists earlier this week with dire consequences if their diktats were not followed regarding publication of news about their faction,” a spokesman of the AMWJU told reporters Sunday.
“In view of the militants’ threat, editors, publishers and journalists have jointly decided not to publish any newspaper Sunday,” he said.
The editors and journalists, who appealed to the extremists outfits not to put pressure on media organisations regarding the publication of news and leave the decision on editors, also staged a protest rally in the Manipur capital Imphal Sunday.
The AMWJU also threatened to launch a bigger movement if the separatist outfits continue to threaten media houses and their members.