Click to play videoNew Delhi: Newspapers in Manipur have halted publishing for an indefinite period and decided to remain off the stands till the state government orders a judicial probe into the killing of a young journalist, media sources said.
Twenty two-year-old Konsam Rishikanta Singh, a sub editor with Imphal Free Press — one of the state's leading English dailies — was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Langol area on November 17.
His death has sparked off unprecedented state-wide protests, with the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) launching a sit-in protest in the state capital Imphal.
“The Chief Minister has been apprised of the situation but nothing has been done in that regard so far,” Editor, Ireibak Daily, Irembam Arun says.
Konsam Rishikanta is the sixth journalist to be gunned down in Manipur.
Local journalists suspect the involvement of security personnel in gunning down the upcoming journalist. They say the news of Konsam’s death was reported to the journalists too quickly, whereas insurgents normally take a day to claim responsibility.
Meanwhile in New Delhi, the Editors Guild of India has requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Home Ministry to look into the matter and ensure the full protection of journalists working in Manipur.
The complaint of the Guild has forced the Home Ministry to order Manipur Government to provide a detailed report on the incident.
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