Manipur decides to restrain press

In Manipur, the local media has more often than not been the battleground for both sides 8212; the Government and the insurgency. The media here is often under pressure from militant groups to publish their statements without any editing. Every year, statements issued by the top brass of militant outfits on the occasion of their respective raising days are carried, often as a series. The local media is the main forum for militants to get their message across to the masses.

The Government has also resolved to include crimes such as murder, kidnapping and extortion under the ambit of law and order, apart from militancy-related crimes. A 7th battalion of the India Reserve Police IRB will also be raised to enhance police presence. The IRB and Manipur Rifles personnel are to now concentrate only on law and order maintenance. Till now, IRB and MR personnel were being used for VIP security.