Independent journalist denied entry to Manipur Assembly

Grace Jajo, an independent journalist from Manipur, was allegedly denied access to the state Assembly on the last day of session on February 22. This occurred despite her having all the necessary documents required for entry into the media gallery.

Security personnel stationed at the complex also snatched press entry pass, Frontier Manipur reported.

Jajo has claimed the incident occurred at 11:35 am on February 22 when she entered the female entry room of the Assembly. Security personnel stationed asked her to show her identity card which she produced. At this time, the head of security, identified as E Tomba, forcibly confiscated her identity card and refused her entry.

Jajo protested and demanded an official order sanctioning the move. She was told it was with a joint secretary named Raju and she could collect it from him. Despite attempts to reach him, Raju was unavailable at that moment and she was forced to leave.

Her case has been taken up by Human Rights Alert which has condemned the incident and added that relevant authorities will be approached in this regard. Human Rights Alert is a non-governmental organisation based in Manipur.

Jajo had been covering the 12th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly since the beginning prior to the incident.