Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 28:
Even as Advisor to the Governor K Kipgen today told press men that curfew have been press men that curfew has been imposed to pre-empt trouble, the State journalistic fraternity made it very clear that the prolonged imposition of the curfew will only fuel people�s frustration and invite more trouble.
These views were exchanged during a meeting convened by the Advisor at the conference hall of the Old Secretariat today at 3.30 pm.
Media persons both from the print electronics and correspondents were invited to the meeting which was presided by the Advisor.
The meeting discussed the prevailing situation in the State and the Advisor sought the opinions of the media persons and also the problems and hazards faced by the journalists while covering event during curfew times.
Top ranking civil and police officials including Chief Secretary Rakesh, DGP AA Siddique and Information Secretary Budhachandra were present at the meeting.
The advisor gave a patient hearing to all the points raised by the media persons and assured to look into them.
The media persons present pointed out that in the present sensitive period many organisations and individuals from Nagaland have been making inflammatory and provoking statements.
The advisor agreed to the proposal to contact his counter part in Nagaland to put a check on such elements and to stop them from making inflammatory statements.
The Advisor also noted the points raised that it is not justified to impose curfew in the two Imphal districts and Thoubal while the UNC was allowed to convene a meeting at Senapati.
Many of the scribes pointed out that he imposition of the curfew may not have the desired effect as people freely gather at all the Leirak and Leikai and freely exchange their opinion on the cease fire extension.
The pent up frustration and bottled up sentiments of the people may explode once curfew is lifted, opined the media persons and suggested that it would be more positive to allow the people demonstrate against the cease - fire extension peacefully and democratically.
The sentimental aspect of whole issue was made very clear to the Advisor.
Pointing out that the Government of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have made it clear that it would not honour the cease fire on their territories the media persons asked the Advisor to spell out the stand of the Government on the issue.
DGP AA Siddique assured the meeting that police and CRPF personnel would be given strict instructions not to harass media persons during curfew time.
The media persons pointed out that in some cases the security personnel do not honour the curfew passes issued by the District Magistrates.