Ukhrul | May 21, 2025: The Ukhrul District Working Journalists’ Association (UDWJA) has expressed deep concern and solidarity with the team of journalists who were subjected to harassment and undue obstruction by security personnel from the 4 Mahar Regiment while en route to cover the 5th state-level Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district in a press statement.
On 20th May 2025, as part of UDWJA initiative to host visiting journalists intending to cover the festival, the association had arranged accommodation and food for a team of more than 20 journalists and staff from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in collaboration with which UDWJA is taking up the initiative this year. However, the media team had to cancel their trip as they were not allowed to proceed beyond the Gwaltabi checkpoint, around 25 km from Imphal, citing security reasons despite claims of adequate security arrangements by the law enforcement agency.
UDWJA condemned any actions that curtail freedom of the press, irrespective of the community affiliation of the media personnel and irrespective of the authorities perpetrating such harrasment upon the press fraternity.
It urged the relevant authorities to take swift action against those responsible for this blatant disruption of press freedom and violation of journalists’ rights and ensure that such incidents do not recur in future to safeguard the interests and safety of the press fraternity.
