Two Jiribam based media persons have been arrested by Imphal East commandos together with a social activist in the wee hours today.
The commandos who escorted Governor Gurbachan Jagat on his maiden visit to the sub-division headquarters on March 20 picked up the trio today.
The scribes arrested by the police commandos have been identified as Moirangthem Romeo (36) s/o M Iboyaima of Dibong Khunou but staying at Teachers' Colony, Babupara, Jiribam, Atom Lukhoi (28) s/o Atom Samutombi of Kamranga, Jiribam and M Maipaksana Mangang.
All Manipur Working Journalists' Union has also condemned the arrest of Moirangthem Romeo and Atom Lukhoi by police commandos from their Jiribam residences without giving any arrest memo.
It is reported that Romeo is Jiribam correspondent of ISTV and DDK Imphal and vice-president of All Jiribam Working Journalists' Union (AJWJU).
Atom Lukhoi (28) is the Jiribam correspondent of Poknapham daily and Acting Editor of the Eastern Post, a Manipuri weekly published at Jiribam.
He is also general secretary of the AJWJU.
Maipaksana is president of All Jiribam United Clubs' Association (AJUCA).
Meanwhile, the AJWJU, in a hurriedly convened meeting today, strongly condemned arrest of its two members by police commandos.
The AJWJU has also demanded release of the two scribes without any condition at the earliest.
Terming the arrest very unfortunate, the All Jiribam Working Journalists' Union has decried attack on fourth pillar of democracy by security forces.
On the other hand, various civil organisations based at Jiribam including the AJUCA, the Jiri Development Organisation, the Apunba Jiri Meira Paibi and the Jiri Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup have condemned the arrest of the three individuals.
They also imposed bandh in Jiribam sub-division protesting against the arrest.
Consequent upon the bandh, normal life in Jiribam sub-division has been severely affected as business establishments remained shut and vehicles staying away from roads including NH 53 .
The All Jiribam Working Journalists' Union has already submitted a representation to the Additional Deputy Commissioner appealing to enquire into the arrest of its two colleagues by Imphal East commandos.