Journalists across Manipur resumed their professional duties on Wednesday following a one-day statewide pen-down strike held on May 21. However, they have collectively decided to continue boycotting all news and information related to the Manipur State Government and security forces until the report of the Inquiry Committee—constituted by the Governor—is submitted and action is taken.

The decision was reportedly made during a joint emergency meeting of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM), which reconvened at 5:30 PM on Tuesday after a temporary adjournment to facilitate a meeting with the Governor.

Sources from the meeting revealed that the journalists expressed strong dissatisfaction over the events of May 20, when security personnel at Gwaltabi allegedly stopped a Manipur State Transport (MST) bus carrying journalists and instructed them to conceal the word “Manipur” displayed on the vehicle.

It was resolved that while regular news coverage would resume from May 22, journalists would not report on any state government activities or events involving state and central security forces until the inquiry is completed and accountability is ensured.

AMWJU and EGM also agreed to submit a formal recommendation to the Chief Secretary, seeking changes to the government’s May 21 order constituting the Inquiry Committee. The recommendation reportedly urges the inclusion of provisions for identifying lapses and recommending penalties against those responsible for the obstruction and alleged harassment of journalists.

Additionally, the journalist bodies are said to have called for the transfer of the security personnel involved in the Gwaltabi incident to a different location during the inquiry period, arguing that their continued presence could compromise public trust in the investigation.

While a limited exemption has reportedly been made for coverage of certain events related to the Shirui Lily Festival, the media boycott of official government programmes, especially those attended by senior officials, remains in effect.

The media organisations emphasized that their protest extends beyond the Gwaltabi incident, citing broader concerns about the suppression of press freedom and perceived symbolic attacks on Manipur’s identity.

The Inquiry Committee, which includes senior government officials, has been tasked with submitting its findings within 15 days. Until then, the journalist community has reportedly pledged to maintain unity in their call for transparency, justice, and accountability.