AMWJU, EGM dismiss ex-DGAR's claim
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 11 2024: All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) and Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM) have strongly condemned claim made by former Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen PC Nair that media are not true in its reportage during the crisis in Manipur.

EGM and AMWJU also dismissed the assertion by PC Nair during an interview with a TV news channel that weaponised drones and rockets were not used to attack residential areas.

According to a joint statement of EGM and AMWJU, local media are particularly careful while reporting during the conflict and self-censor is the norm to ensure that it doesn't lead to further violence.

The statement of PC Nair that fake videos are floating on social media is indeed correct but the media in Manipur take special precautions in reporting visuals.

The allegation of PC Nair that weaponised drones are not used is not borne by facts, EGM and AMWJU said adding that the woman who died at Koutruk on September 1 and her daughter were hit by a sniper bullet and many others were injured in drone assisted bombing in the same attack.

There are many eye witnesses who saw the release of RPGs by drones, including a journalist of IMPACT TV who was also hit by shrapnel on his hand and foot at Koutruk on September 1, the joint statement said.

It is true that locally made mortars called 'Pumpi' have been used since the beginning of the crisis but the distance it travels is short.

The rockets that were fired at Oksung-bung on August 10 and at Tronglaobi and Moirang on September 6 had travelled a distance ranging from 4-6 km.

What were the things that flew 4-6 km and landed at Oksungbung, Tronglaobi and Moirang if they were not rockets, EGM and AMWJU asked the former DGAR.

Perhaps PC Nair is unaware of the new development but his sweeping allegations on the media has shocked the local media, EGM and AMWJU maintained while expressing dismay that former DGAR undermined the reportage of the journalists.

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