Journalists and media workers across the state today staged a three-hour sit-in demonstration and protest meeting in front of Rabindra Bhavan, raising an 11-point charter of demands aimed at ensuring their safety, dignity, and professional rights.
More than 800 journalists and media professionals from all subdivisions of the state participated in the programme. Around 150 journalists and media workers from tribal communities, under the banner of Khumlwng Press Club, also joined the protest, reflecting widespread unity within the media fraternity.
The protesters demanded, among other issues, assured safety for journalists, free land allocation for housing in their respective work areas, Rs 50 lakh allocation for the Journalists’ Welfare Fund in the upcoming budget, doubling of journalist pensions and family pensions, doubling of government advertisement rates, regular advertisements for weekly newspapers, group insurance and monthly allowance for newspaper distributors, and 50 percent concession on electricity charges for recognized media houses.
A major concern highlighted during the protest was the alleged intimidation and harassment of senior journalists by two ruling party MLAs, who, according to speakers, have been using constitutional authority to suppress media voices through threats and coercion.
The meeting strongly condemned social, economic, and physical attacks on the media, calling for immediate steps to protect press freedom and democratic values.
Following the protest, a delegation of journalists led by senior editor Subal Kumar Dey met Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and submitted a memorandum detailing the demands. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that the government would examine the issues carefully and take necessary steps. However, the representatives warned that if justice is not delivered—particularly regarding allegations against the two MLAs—they would approach the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, and the President of India.
Addressing the gathering, speakers including Subal Kumar Dey, Sanjay Pal, Shanit Debroy, Pranab Sarkar, Dibakar Debnath, Narayan Patowari, Sebak Bhattacharjee, and newspaper distributors’ leader Nanigopal Saha emphasized the need for unwavering unity within the media community.
They alleged that MLAs Ram Prasad Pal and Ranjit Debbarma have been harassing senior journalists for reporting on corruption, unethical practices, and alleged communal violence linked to them. According to the speakers, these actions are intended to conceal past misconduct and have strained relations between the government and the press, thereby harming democratic governance.
The protestors demanded legal action against the two legislators in the interest of democracy and press freedom. They also called for firm measures against individuals using administrative power and social media to intimidate journalists.
Among other key demands were:
Speedy conclusion of judicial proceedings related to the martyr journalists Sudip Datta Bhowmik and Shantanu Bhowmik, pending for nearly nine years.
Enforcement of strict guidelines to prevent misuse of ‘Press’ stickers on vehicles.
Introduction of group insurance and monthly special allowance for long-neglected newspaper distributors (hawkers).
The journalists asserted that these demands are essential not only for improving the living standards of media workers but also for strengthening the media as the fourth pillar of democracy, deserving equal respect and institutional support.
