Should PTI be responsible for distorting news at Mao, Manipur killing?

Dr. R.B.Thohe Pou *

Press Trust of India is considered to be one of the most trusted news agencies in India. PTI is a registered news agency since 1949 and many national and local dailies subscribed to it. It would be difficult to question the reliability of PTI news report as it is one of the most trusted news agencies in India but the accurate news need to be reported keeping the neutrality and the spirit of the media.

Most of the National dailies, like The Times of India, The Hindu, The Statement, The NDTV, ZeeNews etc reported that two women were killed in stampede and the source is given as PTI. The PTI reports, "May 6 (PTI) NSCN (IM) leader T Muivah today put off his visit to his ancestral village in Manipur even as three among a crowd waiting to welcome him across the border were killed in a stampede when police fired teargas shells to disperse them…Two women died in a stampede after police burst tear gas shells to disperse hundreds of T Muivah supporters"

It was clear enough those two students (Chakho S/o Neli, B.A. 2yr St. Joseph College, Bangalore and Loshou S/o of Daikho BA 2yr St. Joseph College, Jakhama, Nagaland) were gunned down in the morning by Manipur Commandos and IRB.

First, so there is not any question arising about the stampede by the crowd.

Secondly, it is also clear enough to identity from the dead bodies whether it is a man or a woman if the PTI reporter presents at Mao on that day. If their reporter did not present in that barbaric and inhuman killing by Manipur SF, how can they circulate their erroneous news to national dailies and TV channel like Zeenews?

Thirdly, the Times of India reports and the source is given as PTI, "Meanwhile, Manipur police opened fire and used teargas shells to quell protests by Nagas, mostly women from Ukrul district, at its side of the border at the inter-state check gate at Mao in protest against the Manipur government's decision disallowing Muivah's visit."

All Manipur United Club Organization (AMUCO) called for 48hrs total Bandh in Manipur from 5-7 May evening and none of the vehicle plies from Imphal to all the hill districts. The incident took place at Mao on 6May and there is not any chance for the Tangkhul Women to come to Mao, Senapati District for mass rally. How can they report that most of the women were from Ukhrul district? What are they trying to report by this?

In Mao area we can hardly find any Tangkhul household, so question does not arise here again that the Tangkhul women were present in mass rally on that day. Muivah belongs to Ukhrul district but it does not mean that only the Tangkhuls work for the Naga political problem. This report is ambiguous in its nature and it seems like the whole report is trying to manipulate the Naga issue and try to mislead the people.

In conclusion, I would like the PTI to apologize to the Naga people for erroneous news report and trying to mislead the people.

References:

Times of India: Muivah puts off visit to ancestral village in Manipur: PTI, May 6, 2010, 03.05pm
NDTV: Muivah puts off visit to ancestral village in Manipur PTI Thursday May 6, 2010
zeenews.com : Muivah puts off Manipur visit Updated on Friday, May 07, 2010, 00:27
The Hindu: Muivah puts off Manipur visit, 3 killed in stampede
The Statement : 6 May: Muivah puts off trip, 3 killed in stampede
Two women supporters of Muivah die in stampede (yahoo.com)
Two women NSCN-IM supporters die in stampede (rediff.com)