Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 21:
Reacting to the news report in the March 20 issue of this paper under the caption, "Scribes' cameras snatched," the Kuki Students' Organisation, Chandel district today said that the "cameras were not snatched through force instead it was taken on request with consent of the owners to be returned later".
In a statement, the student body said that it is unfortunate that the matter has been blown out of proportion and added that it is a ploy to malign the name of KSO, Chandel.
"The fact is the press men lied to the bandh supporters at Molnoi when they were asked if they had brought any cameras with them.
On the contrary they said that all their belongings have been snatched by bandh supporters at Moreh.
But they were found to have carried the cameras and other items.
This infuriated the bandh supporters leading to the unfortunate incident," asserted KSO.
The cameras were first handed over to the police and subsequently to the pressmen on March 20, said the statement.
The student body also accused the media of distorting and feeding wrong reports to the public, casting aside the clear picture of the landmine issue and the plight of 400 kidnapped villagers of TS Laijang, whose whereabouts are still not known.
It is hypocritical for the pressmen and the police to raise a hue and cry over a short detention, while ignoring the plight of 400 villagers who have been kidnapped, charged KSO.
The statement added that KSO respects the ethics of the press and regards the sentiments of the media persons, but the unethical behaviour of the journalists by "lying to the public is most unfortunate.
If this behaviour of the media is to continue, then KSO, Cdl will be compelled to ban all media from Chandel district".