At least three journalists from Myanmar have fled the coup-hit country and taken shelter at Moreh in Manipur, media persons working in the Indian border state said on April 15.
The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) expressed concern with the developments in the neighbouring country and said that at least three journalists working with Mizzima in Myanmar have taken shelter in Moreh.
AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam said that the three journalists should be treated well as they fear action from the Indian security forces. “The Mizzima is an independent media organisation of Myanmar locals. The journalists now taking shelter in Moreh are living in fear that they may be pushed back to Myanmar where their life and security would be in great danger,” the AMWJU president said.
They are also fearful of harassment by Indian security establishment, he added.
As a journalist body, the AMWJU was alarmed by the fate of the media and media persons in the neighbouring country. They appealed to the Manipur government to give them the respect that journalists are accorded anywhere in the world, and to give them safe passage to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in New Delhi, where they can seek official refugee status under the international convention on refugees.
Thousands of people in Myanmar are protesting the military who took charge of the country on February 1 in what is being described as a military coup.
On February 1, the military declared a year-long state of emergency in Myanmar and seized control following a general election which leader Aung San Suu Kyi had won. Several leaders, including Suu Kyi, were detained.
