TWO-WEEKLONG MANIPUR MEDIA BLACK ON ONE EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING

Guwahati,December 1,2008
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Since November 20, Manipur print and electronic pvt. media made a total black out in protest against the alleged extrajudicial killing of one junior subeditor of a local paper. 24 lakh -strong Manipuri populace has been taken in siege because of the black out.It is proper that all dailies and other media resume the rendering of the essential services to all, while continuing their democratic protest in one form or another against the Ibobi ministry, run by the New Delhi government in the true sense of the term. Gherao, mass rally, fast unto death, so and so forth are tested weapons of protests.

The figure of extra- judicial executions committed by the state and other none state forces or, even by the mindless criminal,gangster terrorists is abnormally high considering the tiny state population.A holistic exercise would demand the government to make public ,all the EJEs committed by all parties and the accountability.

Pending the holistic report, all the Manipuri people have the right to know the events and without newspapers, the nation is virtually dead.We need not reiterate this sense of urgency expected of our journalists fraternity. Profession demands many a thing and it is rigorous to bear the pain and bear the professional responsibilities.

We look at the issue from another angle- pessimistic though.If a junior doctor is killed,is it reasonable for all the doctors and nurses in Manipur to close down all hospitals for two week, till the state hands over the criminal.If a school teacher is done to death, is it rational to close down all the educational institutions for two weeks and make 30,000 of our children illiterate.The world would crash to a grinding halt, should the black out/close down procedure is taken for a precedent.Our benchmark and standard-setting could be one and not two or more.

The lost soul is our common loss,yet are we going to lose every asset and resources that we have.His importance to society is accepted, similarly other social activist or professional deserves equal attention of all professional groups.

On the whole, the media persons owe a little bit of service to all, despite the sad event whihc may not be the last event ina turbulent state or region.

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