The proscribed UNLF has refuted the claims of the police that the two arrested journalists were members of the group. Meanwhile, the two have been placed under suspension for allegedly committing activities which “lowers the dignity of journalism profession in general and AMWJU in particular,” said a memorandum issued by AMWJU.
TFM Desk
The proscribed UNLF has rubbished the version of the police as reported by the news media on the arrest of Bijoy Kakchingtabam of Poknapham and Leimapokpam Shanjitkumar of Eikhoigee Panthung. The outfit’s publicity deputy secretary M Shak-hen in a press statement said that the outfit has no links whatsoever with the arrested journalists and that the UNLF at no point in time assigned any works to the two journalists for recruiting new cadres for the group.
UNLF said that the arrest of Bijoy Kakchingtabam of Poknapham and Leimapokpam Shanjitkumar is part of the continuous attempts by police and IOF to apprehend innocent people by falsely accusing them of having links with armed outfits.
AMWJU suspends arrested scribes for one year
All Manipur Working Journalist Union on Saturday suspended its two members — Bijoy Kakchingtabam of Poknapham and Leimapokpam Shanjitkumar of Eikhoigee Panthung, who were arrested for their alleged link with proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF).
According to an office memorandum bearing the signature of AMWJU general secretary Khwairakpam Naoba, they have been suspended for a year with immediate effect as per the resolution of the Standing Committee meeting held on 25th June 2022.
“They have been placed under suspension for committing activities which lowers the dignity of the journalism profession in general and AMWJU in particular. During the period of suspension, they lose all rights and privileges of being a member of AMWJU,” it added.