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Journalists go on strike in Manipur

Correspondent

Allege excesses by Assam Rifles personnel

IMPHAL: As journalists in Manipur went on strike on Thursday in protest against the `excesses' of some Assam Rifles personnel, there will be no newspaper on Friday and news channels will be off the air.

Accusing the Manipur government of inaction, they also decided to boycott the budget session of the Manipur Assembly beginning on Friday. All Assam Rifles news and functions will be boycotted until the guilty personnel are punished.

The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) will also send memos to the Home Minister, the Defence Minister, the Press Council of India and international press fora.Four journalists had rushed to Kotlien in Tamenglong district on Wednesday to investigate the alleged rape and attempted murder of an 18-year-old Kuki tribal girl, Ningneikim Haokip, a student of standard 5, by Namethoi of 34 Assam Rifles hailing from Nagaland.

The victim and her parents had lodged a complaint with the Assam Rifles post.

On hearing about the incident, women of the village attacked the post. Assam Rifles personnel retaliated and beat up the women with clubs. Eight women sustained injuries. Despite identifying themselves, some personnel tried to attack the journalists with clubs and rifle butts. Two journalists were slapped viciously. They were all detained for two hours. However at the intervention of AMWJU representatives and the Defence wing Public Relations Officer they were released.

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Journalists go on strike in Manipur

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