Imphal: The newspaper stands remained empty while TV news were not broadcasted in this state of India on Sunday. The daily delivery of newspaper distribution as well as TV news shows was suspended in Manipur on Sunday.
According to PTI, journalists in the state went on an indefinite strike in protest against a grenade attack on the office of a regional daily. All media organisations in the state participated in the protest by not publishing any newspaper while television channels also suspended their bulletins.
A hand-grenade was thrown at the office of Poknapham, the largest circulated regional newspaper in Manipur. The incident took place in Keishampat Thiyam Leikai area of Imphal district around 6.30 pm on Saturday. The call for Sunday’s closure was ordered by the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union and the Editors Guild of Manipur. The media groups assembled an emergency meeting at the Press Club on Saturday and resolved to halt all publications and broadcast.
Meanwhile, no one was injured in the grenade attack as the shell failed to explode. The purpose for the incident is still unclear as no militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Journalists who went in for sit-in demonstration at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai later submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh, requesting him to safeguard that the press in the state is allowed to operate freely.
