Manipur Journalists Organize Sit-In Protest, Condemn State Government Silence over Gwaltabi Incident

Manipur journalists organized a sit-in protest on Saturday and vehemently condemned the state government's silence regarding the Gwaltabi incident in which journalists allegedly were not given the chance to perform their professional duties.

The demonstration, organized by some of the press and media organizations, brought together writers from all over the state to protest what they termed as an unacceptable encroachment on freedom of the press. The demonstrators demanded that the government make a quick gesture after they were angered by the fact that it had hesitated to make a gesture against harassment of the journalists covering sensitive news in Gwaltabi, an already tense region under tension.

Protests under the slogans "Stop Targeting the Press", "We Want Answers, Not Silence", and "Free Press, Free Society" defined the outrage of the press members whose members warned that continued lack of action by the government would establish a vicious precedent.

As a response to the protest, experienced journalists averred that the media plays a critical role in war zones like Manipur and stifling its freedom damages not only democracy but also constitutes an invitation to untold stories. This governmental silence is not just disappointing—it's frightening, one FrogStreet protester proclaimed. If journalists cannot report, the people lose their right to know.

The symbolic sit-in brought to the fore the increasing danger for media personnel in Manipur, where ethnic tensions and govt. indecision has turned the state into a tricky area to report from.

Media houses have demanded an explanation to the public from an action taken against officials who were implicated in the blockade. Up until now, there has been no statement or word from the office of the Chief Minister.

The protest is a sign of growing issues with press freedom in India's north east, where reporters more and more challenge what they describe as systemic efforts to stifle the flow of good reporting from the ground.