The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) has issued a legal notice to the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), demanding the immediate withdrawal of a report the union says is defamatory, unverified, and damaging to its reputation. The notice also seeks an unconditional public apology from PUCL.

The legal notice, drafted by advocate Hijam Chandrakumar — a member of the Media Legal Committee jointly formed by AMWJU and the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) — states that the PUCL report on “media testimonies” related to the Manipur conflict contains multiple false, misleading, and malicious allegations.

According to AMWJU, the report labels the union as “Godi media,” insinuates coercion and threats against journalists, misrepresents its membership structure, and employs communal phrases such as “Imphal-based Meitei media.” It also accuses the union of partisan coverage and exclusionary practices — allegations AMWJU has firmly rejected.

In its response, AMWJU clarified that its membership is governed strictly by its constitution, state and national laws, and DIPR guidelines. The union reiterated that membership is open to all qualified working journalists employed in RNI-registered publications, irrespective of ethnicity or affiliation.

“The PUCL report is based entirely on unverified hearsay and was published without seeking AMWJU’s version, violating basic principles of natural justice,” the notice stated.

Advocate Chandrakumar added that the publication has “caused immense harm to the reputation and credibility AMWJU has built over decades as a guardian of journalistic ethics and press freedom.”

The union warned that if PUCL does not retract the report and issue a public apology within 30 days, it will initiate civil and criminal proceedings under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including defamation charges and a claim for damages.