“A responsible army officer like Subedar Kamla Pati Joshi attitude was uncalled for and very unfortunate. As it is least expected from the security force, even after identifying himself as a journalist was questioned for being similar with one of the high ranking NSCN-IM leader”, said a statement issued by UDWJA.
TFM Report
Ukhrul District Working Journalists Association (UDWJA) has expressed strong resentment against the 24 Assam Rifles, COB at Ramva, Ukhrul District, Manipur for harassing a journalist at around 8:12 AM on Monday. UDWJA while condemning the incident also resolved not to cover any programme of 24 Assam Rifles, Shangshak Battalion until the responsible authority “rectify the misdeed”.
UDWJA in a statement alleged that an active member of UDWJA was “unnecessarily harassed by Subedar Kamla Pati Joshi of 24 Assam Rifles, Shangshak Battalion at Ramva Check Post on 25th September 2023 at around 08:12am”. The journalist, who is the Ukhrul District correspondent of The Frontier Manipur was on his way to Imphal. He is also functions as the correspondent of Ukhrul Times and ISTV.
“A responsible army officer like Subedar Kamla Pati Joshi attitude was uncalled for and very unfortunate. As it is least expected from the security force, even after identifying himself as a journalist was questioned for being similar with one of the high ranking NSCN (I-M) leader. At the demand of the journalist, the Subedar showed the image/photo of the NSCN (I-M) leader from his mobile phone. After verbal tussle, the journalist was finally allowed to proceed to Imphal after proper entry of the vehicle which he was traveling”, said the UDWJA statement.
The UDWJA while condemning the incident also resolved not to cover any programme of 24 Assam Rifles, Shangshak Battalion until the concerned authority “rectify the misdeed”.
The association president Addie Chiphang had also forwarded a copy of the statement to the president of Manipur Hill Journalists Union, All Manipur Working Journalists Union and Editors Guild of Manipur.