Manipur CM O Ibobi Singh asks militants not to disturb media

IMPHAL: Against the backdrop of frequent closure of media houses due to threats from ultras, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has said media should be allowed to function freely as it was important for people to keep themselves informed about latest happenings in the state.

"Those who are disturbing media persons and houses and imposing terms that their press statements should be published in verbatim have no principles and rules of their own", he said while speaking on the occasion of the 39th foundation day of 'Manipur Press Club' here yesterday.

The Chief Minister said no organisation or individual should cause fear among media persons, who were working selflessly in the interest of the general public.

Some militants had exploded a bomb in the house of senior journalist and president of the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union A Mobi some weeks ago.

The chief minister said some persons allegedly involved in the incident have been arrested.

Official sources said the militants had exploded the bomb because Mobi had refused to publish press statements of some militant factions.

The Chief Minister said the state government was looking into the problems faced by media persons in the state.

He said the government was also examining a proposal if pension for retired journalists could be increased besides improving medical facilities.