MLA Khumukcham Joykishan on Thursday called upon the media fraternity to play a vital role in restoring peace and harmony in Manipur. He was speaking at a programme held to officially announce the installation of an elevator at the Manipur Press Club building in Imphal.
Reiterating a commitment he had made earlier, MLA Joykishan declared that he would personally install the elevator at the Press Club, fulfilling a long-standing demand raised by members of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and the Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM). The proposal was first made public during the Foundation Day celebration of the Manipur Press Club last year, where Joykishan had pledged to support the initiative.
At the announcement event, he requested AMWJU and EGM members to select an auspicious day to lay the foundation stone and begin the construction work.
Highlighting the crucial role of the media, especially during times of crisis, Joykishan stated that while the government bears the primary responsibility for restoring peace and order, the media acts as a bridge between the public and the authorities. “The media not only informs but also offers guidance to the government and helps build public confidence,” he said, urging journalists to contribute actively in the process of reconciliation and peace-building.
The event was attended by AMWJU president Ashem Bhakta, EGM president Khomdram Khogen, senior editor Irengbam Arun, and journalist A. Balkrishna, among others.
It may be noted that MLA Joykishan has been extending financial support to members of the media fraternity for medical treatment over the past decade, earning appreciation from journalists across the state for his consistent support.