JFA condemns bomb threats to Manipur editors

By NJ Thakuria

Guwahati: Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has expressed serious concern
over the bomb threats to two Manipur editors. The JFA condemns the
militants for their misdeeds and argues that targeting media persons
by triggering explosions would not serve any purpose, ‘rather it will
complicate the situation’.

Local media reports from the Manipur capital city narrated that a bomb
explosion took place in front of the residences of Hueiyen Lanpao
newspaper editor H Ningomba and ISTV news channel editor B Ningomba in
Imphal on Sunday evening. Later, the Manipur police also recovered a
live bomb from the same locality.

Manipur goes to polls in two phases on March 4 and 8 for its 60-seat
Assembly. Like various separatist militant groups of northeast India,
the Manipur-based rebels also oppose the election in their State as
they argue that the electoral exercise is nothing but a symbol of
‘Indian domination’ in Manipur.

“We urge the State police to look into the matter of security for
media persons so that they can perform their duty without any fear and
trepidation,” said  JFA president Rupam Barua adding, “At the same
time, we want to request a section of Manipur journalists, who always
prefer to glorify the militants to rethink their approach towards the
rebels as they deserve only condemnations for dastardly acts time and
again.”