The Mizoram Journalists’ Association (MJA), an umbrella body of all working journalists in the state, on Tuesday blamed a bid to suppress mediapersons on call of duty during the lockdown.

Leaders of the association, led by its president Zonunsanga Khiangte, on Tuesday met state chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo and apprised him of the recent notification issued by a district administration and an incident wherein journalists were prevented by BSF jawans from visiting border areas.

MJA general secretary Zohmingmawia said the meeting of Lunglei district administration, BSF and Young Mizo Association (YMA) under the leadership of Lunglei deputy commissioner on May 11 had passed a resolution curtailing the freedom of the press.

The resolution said mediapersons should get permission from BSF commandants of the respective areas before visiting border areas. He said it was an outright violation of the freedom of the press.

Zohmingmawia also said members of MJA from Lunglei district were refused permission to visit the Indo-Bangladesh border and giving relief to volunteers by the BSF.

Quoting the Centre order of March 23, he said the ministry of information and broadcasting had directed all chief secretaries of states and Union territories to ensure uninterrupted service of journalists to bring the latest update on Covid-19 to avoid fake news amid lockdown.

Apart from meeting the chief secretary, the MJA leaders also submitted a representation seeking his intervention to revoke the notification and ensure free movement of scribes, Zohmingmawia said.

The chief secretary assured them of steps to ensure that freedom of the press is not suppressed and also to alter the deputy commissioner’s notification, he added.