IMPHAL, May 24: Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba has written to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, expressing serious concern over an incident involving the alleged obstruction of a group of journalists en route to Ukhrul district earlier this week.

In the memorandum, the MP referred to an incident that took place on the morning of May 20, 2025, at Gwattabi village. The journalists were reportedly traveling on a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus under a state-sponsored initiative to cover the 5th Shirui Lily Festival. However, the bus was allegedly stopped by security personnel believed to be from the Mahar Regiment, who demanded that the word “Manipur” be removed from the vehicle’s signage before allowing them to proceed further.

Faced with this demand, the team of journalists was reportedly compelled to abandon their assignment and return to Imphal without covering the festival.

Terming the incident as “unheard of,” MP Leishemba expressed deep dismay over what he described as a troubling and unacceptable attitude displayed by the defence personnel involved. He emphasized that such actions risk eroding public trust in security forces, especially in a conflict-affected state like Manipur.

The MP underscored the essential role of the media, calling journalists the “fourth pillar of democracy,” and voiced concerns over the broader implications of the incident for press freedom. The memorandum posed a critical question: whether traveling within the state on a government vehicle bearing the name “Manipur State Transport” could, in any way, be considered unlawful.

Further, the MP questioned whether the army personnel acted independently or were acting on administrative instruction, and called for a thorough investigation to establish accountability. He cautioned that failing to address the matter transparently could further damage public confidence in the government.

Given the prolonged ethnic conflict in Manipur, now entering its second year, MP Leishemba urged security forces and law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and uphold fairness and justice in their operations. He appealed to the administration to ensure that such incidents do not recur and called for appropriate and exemplary action in the case of any wrongdoing.

He concluded the letter by expressing hope that Governor Bhalla, with his extensive bureaucratic experience, would guide the administration in restoring peace and rebuilding public trust in the troubled state.