Imphal, March 13: The organisation campaigning for the use of the Meitei script instead of the Bengali one on the front pages of all language dailies of Manipur today reached an understanding with the media houses that shut shop two days ago in protest against the diktat.

The managements of these newspapers are expected to take a decision by tomorrow morning on when to resume publication.

The protest began after members of the Meitei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup snatched copies of dailies, including English editions, from hawkers and distribution outlets on Friday morning. The group had set March 10 as the deadline for language dailies to start using the Meitei script on their front pages.

Though the diktat was only for Manipuri dailies, all Imphal-based English newspapers joined the agitation.

Two decisions were arrived at during today?s conciliatory meeting, which was attended by representatives of the Editors? Forum, Manipur, the All Manipur Working Journalists? Union and leaders of the Meitei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup.

Sources said the dailies agreed to use the Meitei script in a ?prominent section? of their front pages with immediate effect, while the Meitei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup promised not to impose itself on the media.

The resolutions were announced by Salam Bharat Bushan, the president of the Editors? Forum, at the venue of a demonstration by members of the media. The decisions have to be endorsed by all media organisations. The sit-in demonstration was at Keisampat crossing, which is within the ?hyper-sensitive security zone? of the capital town.

Apart from language dailies, the Meitei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup has been demanding that the Bengali script be replaced with the Meitei one in all textbooks and Manipuri publications. Lakhs of textbooks collected from educational institutions and bookstalls were set ablaze last month, leading to the arrest of over 100 activists. Their leader, Chingsubam Akaba, is being detained in Sajiwa Jail under the National Security Act.

The Okram Ibobi Singh government has yet to take a decision on the issue. The chief minister claims his government is trying to find ways to replace the Bengali script with the Meitei one in phases.