Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) has expressed serious concern at the ceasing of publications of newspapers in Arunachal Pradesh since today due to the ongoing conflict between the media persons and the authority in Itanagar.
News agency reports from Itanagar say that Arunachal Press Club (APC) and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) have decided to go for an indefinite shut down of all Itanagar-based media houses fearing law and order problem arising out of the proposed dharna by Students' Union Movement of Arunachal (SUMA) in front of The Arunachal Times office yesterday.
In a joint representation to Arunachal Pradesh chief minister's office, both the journalist bodies have already sought an immediate suspension of Mige Kamki, the Capital Complex district magistrate for issuing permission to SUMA for the demonstration in front of the pioneer English daily of the bordering State.
"The irrational and foolish demand of SUMA had been permitted by DM Mige Kamki and it gives out the message that the state government is a party to curtailing the Freedom of Press and media in the state," said the joint letter of APC and APUWJ.
JFA, in a statement issued by its president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria, has urged the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki to intervene on the matter and resolve the issue amicably such that the people should not get deprived from having their morning newspapers because of the conflict.
Condemning any kind of threats to the media houses in any case, the Assam based scribe body also appealed to the media fraternity of Arunachal Pradesh to rethink on their decision to shut down the publications indefinitely keeping an eye on the valued newspaper readers across the State.
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