Imphal: All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) have decided to call off the ongoing agitation over the Gwaltabi incident of May 20, 2025, after carefully reviewing the assurances and actions taken by the authorities.
This was announced in a press release on Saturday.
The resolution was adopted during a joint Meeting of AMWJU and EGM held on the same day at Manipur Press Club in Imphal.
Governor of Manipur Ajay Kumar Bhalla had assured the journalist bodies that a fair inquiry would be conducted, which was followed by the constitution of a two-member Inquiry Committee.
The committee has since submitted its report on June 13, 2025, and the Government of Manipur has officially communicated to AMWJU and EGM that the recommendations have been accepted and necessary directives have been issued to concerned departments and security agencies to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
AMWJU and EGM said, they noted these steps with cautious optimism and place on record that while the agitation is being called off in good faith, the journalist community will remain vigilant.
The safety and dignity of media persons are non-negotiable, and any failure in implementing the committee’s recommendations will invite renewed democratic actions from the press bodies, they said.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our colleagues, civil society organisations, and the people of Manipur for their solidarity and support in upholding press freedom and accountability.”
The journalist bodies have been on agitation by not publishing government related news, demanding to take action against those military people who forced to cover the word Manipur on the signage of a bus ferrying journalists who were on their way to Ukhrul to cover Shirui Lily Festival on May 20 at Gwaltabi in Imphal East.
They had scheduled to organise a sit-in rally with civil society organisations on Sunday. However, the decision to call off its agitation arose ahead of the scheduled agitation.
