Assault On Scribe And Govt Action |
Courtesy: Manipur Mail 20th January, 2003 |
Assault on the scribe by IRB personnel is unfortunate. Maximum care should be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in future at least at such time when the entire state is passing through a very critical phase. Timely intervention by the higher up has saved the situation but the manner with which the scribe was attacked despite waving both press identity card and curfew pass issued by the district magistrate is tantamount to showing total disregard to the freedom of press. Press personnel are given a little bid of freedom to move out even during the curfew hours for strangulated press creates more problems than good. It was in the past when the entire press ceased publication in Manipur after imposition of curfew during the Meitei and Meitei Pangal clash above 100 people were killed. When there is no free press rumormonger creates menace spreading false reports, which create dangerous consequences. Therefore during the Gulf war the UN forces led by USA allowed CNN to operate from Iraq. The security personnel guarding streets of Manipur should be properly briefed of the compelling circumstances under which the newspapers and their men function in this part of the land. Unless protection is provided who would think of setting out in the night to get some news for publication in their respective papers. In the past too many reporters were beaten up. Such incidents mar the relationship between press and security men. The guilty persons should face punishment. A proper enquiry should be conducted to understand how the incident happened. The matter is serious. If the reporters would not be allowed to set out during curfew hours what is the significance of issuing pass to them. The Chief Minister acted wisely meeting the irate media personnel even during the odd hours and summoning the DGP for discussion on the matter and the latter asked the Commandant of IRB to take action against the personnel involved in the assault on the scribe. Well done such good gesture shown will not go to waste.
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