, spoke to Jajo about the events of 22 February and press freedom in Manipur.
Kimi Colney: Can you describe the events of 22 February?
Grace Jajo: I had been covering the budget assembly session every day and I went to cover it on the last day, 22 February. After coming inside the gate, at the frisking point, I was asked if I had brought my ID cards. I thought it was only for verification so I showed them my ID cards and my assembly entry pass. Then suddenly, the head of the security, E Thomba, came and took my entry pass away and kept it inside his pocket. I was stunned for a moment but I managed to dig it out from his pocket and asked him how dare he do that. He told me that he has an order to bar me from entering the assembly, and asked me to leave the premises.