Imphal, May 22 -- Newspapers remained absent from the stands in Imphal on Thursday, and local cable networks went silent a day earlier as journalists in Manipur launched protests over an incident involving security forces and members of the press.

The All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and the Editors' Guild of Manipur (EGM) spearheaded the protest, calling for a complete pen-down strike.

The agitation was triggered by an incident on Monday, May 20, near the Gwalatabi checkpost in Imphal East district, where security personnel reportedly instructed journalists to cover up the "Manipur State Transport" signage on a government-issued vehicle. The journalists were en route to Ukhrul district to report on the Shirui Lily Festiva...