TODAY -

When Sensation is the Mantra
Truth is the Casualty

By Col Rajesh Mishra *


Packaging news has become an art and a very competitive one at that. While I admire at the capability of some journo who write excellent head lines inciting the readers to read the entire news, it irks when without substantiating or confirming the veracity of the facts, the news is allowed to go under print.

I will urge the discernible readers to see the reportage covering Op summer Storm and decide for themselves as to where the truth, half truth and lies is.

Attributing the statement to PIB (Defense) on 19 Apr 2009 in a section of media, one of the proscribed elements has stated that a statement issued by PIB (Defense Wing) stated that 'woman and child duo were apprehended'.

Well at no stage was a statement given to the press that they were apprehended. The statement issued to the press was that the mother-child duo was moved to relatively safer areas which is a fact. If a particular newspaper twists the language for reasons best known to them, the fault lies elsewhere and not with the statement issued.

Referring to the statement issued by PREPAK, some newspaper reported that during Op Summer Storm five soldiers were killed and three injured, while the other newspaper reported as eight killed and three injured.

The same statement also stated that artillery guns and helicopter gunship were used during the ops and also stating that it was akin to Kargil war. Let it be known to all that Army respects and salutes every soldier who lays down his life in the call of duty.

The dead body of a deceased soldier, wrapped in a national flagged is flown to his home town and a funeral parade is held giving the guard of honor prior to departure of the casket containing the mortal remains. No such event was held from 11 April 09 till date.

The fact can well be confirmed from other agencies, viz. airport. Those who are injured will undoubtedly have to be shifted to Hospital at Leimakhong and arguably a soldier sustaining a bullet injury will have to be put on Dangerously Ill (DI) List and as per the existing procedure which can never be violated.

The information of all patients on DI list has to be given to Next of Kin of the patients amongst other agencies and there is no way that such information can ever be suppressed.

As regards the use of artillery guns and use of helicopter gunship, neither any artillery guns are deployed nor are the helicopter gunships available. When it comes to use of force, the Army believes in the dictum, 'do not use a hammer to kill a fly' and hence only small arms were used during the ops.

In Kargil, it was war against the enemy along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) whereas Op Summer Storm is within own country and against our own people who are misguided but may join the mainstream. Hence the level of force can never be the same.

The statement issued by PREPAK therefore was akin to Hitler's belief that “the broad mass of a nation will more easily fall victim to a big lie rather than to a small one" (Mein Kampf).

Newspapers have also reported about the schools being closed and parents and the students being worried about the children's education and also reports about locks of the houses being broken. Surprisingly by and large almost all the newspapers have quoted the same name while attributing the aforementioned statement which when looked in its entirety makes one skeptical.

No schools were asked to close down even for a single day. In fact it would have helped a great deal for the conduct of the ops if the activities such as kids attending the school continued as hitherto. Similarly, soldiers breaking locks and occupying houses is too preposterous.

Ops were being conducted in the Pat area away from the habitation and there is no question of soldiers staying in a house as it would afford them no tactical advantage. It would be apt to mention that wherever and whenever possible, the Army will does its utmost best for the betterment of children's education as this would wean them away from falling into the clutches of anti social elements.

As regards alleged reports of houses being broken and the food grains and utensils being used, it is nothing but a deliberate attempt to slight the image of the soldiers.

By the time this report reaches the readers, 1000 kgs of rice, 500 kgs of Dal, 500 kgs of Sugar, 100 kgs of tea and 150 ltrs of cooking oil would have been distributed amongst the affected people since 13 /14 April and with all humility and at the cost of sounding slightly immodest, let me also add that this ration is from the quota of those soldiers only who are being accused of barging into people's houses.

All the facts as mentioned above could have been corroborated from various sources before they are allowed to undergo print so as to present balance news to the readers. But I understand the problems of the journalists' fraternity in Manipur and so will the readers.

Many a times the newspapers have closed shops due to unreasonable demands of proscribed elements of various hues, often asking the newspapers to carry their hand out without any cut. In fact I would have advised the commanders not to react to such vicious propaganda.

But I was appalled at the level to which the young journo had started believing in the malicious propaganda when I interacted with them on the sidelines of a lecture that I was asked to give on Defense Journalism and they in turn too were surprised as to how naïve have they been not knowing the facts.

And it is this fact that prompted me to write this. Well I respect the Editorial independence and on behalf of the SF I would like to assure all my friends in the media fraternity that there will never ever be an opportunity wherein they will have to close there papers because of threat by the Army.

Please feel free to write what you wish to. But may I have a gall to remind them that there is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it.

The coverage of Op Summer Storm, if I may also add, contains a misleading impression if not a lie and in all fairness economical with the truth.

The writer is PRO, Ministry of Defense. The views expressed herein are his own and not necessarily the stated position of MOD



* Col Rajesh Mishra writes for the first time to e-pao.net . The writer is PRO, Ministry of Defense can be reached at pibdw_imphal(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in
This article was webcasted at e-pao.net on 22nd April 2009.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025