FIR Against Scribe Revoked, Media Lifts News Ban

Imphal, Mar 18 : The media fraternity of insurgency-hit Manipur on Wednesday lifted its prohibition of not publishing certain state-related news after the police officially revoked an FIR registered against the editor of a local daily.

On December 29, Manipur Police commandos in civvies arrested Ahongsangbam Mobi from the gate of his office on Sega Road along National Highway 150 in the heart of Imphal. The cops charged him with having a nexus with an underground outfit.

The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU), while rubbishing the police claim, had demanded unconditional release of Mobi (55), a resident of Thongju area in Imphal East.

As a token of protest, the union boycotted ministers and legislators of the ruling Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government as well as the achievements of the police department since January 2 till chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh assured it of withdrawing the case on February 17, the day AMWJU suspended its stir.

After the FIR was officially withdrawn by police, the union, a conglomerate of several media organizations of the state, lifted the ban fully on Wednesday.