Imphal, April 12: Welcoming media personalities representing different organisations to the AR-Media Interaction that took place here at IGAR (S) today, Maj Gen Chengapa straightaway expressed his concern over the possible dictats of various UG groups operating in State with certain dos and don'ts upon media establishments and called for an open discussion to do misunderstandings away with.

Describing media as an important facet of society, Gen rued over the past when men in uniform were reluctant of even standing infront of the camera but at the same time expressed his trust that media and jawans could work together to cast out certain elements that hurdle the smooth functioning of the society.

While expressing pleasure upon the people's realisation about the wrong things which he termed it as a great change, Chengapa conveyed his regret over high handedness of UG groups upon media organisations and exhorted media personalities to come forward with open arms to crush out such unhealthy elements.

Although the army personnel in true terms are being deployed to uphold the law and order of the land to ensure peaceful atmosphere, for reasons known and unknown, there occur certain unwanted elements that go against the people because of one person or two, Gen Maj lamented but this should not mean the entire men in uniform take into such indulgence, he maintained and stressed upon the need to have open dialogue.

Detailing people's perception about the armies, the Editor of Ereibak, Irengbam Arun said there has been drastical change on how the people of Manipur viewed men in uniform.

In contrast to its past that witnessed frequent confrontation and clashes between the public and the army personnel, Arun pointed out that the people to certain extent have been sensitised in their way of assuming what security forces actully are towards positive attitude.

While appreciating the existence of rules and regulations of security forces, the editor conveyed that media should be allowed to have free access as far as possible, and also urged men in uniform to be careful while tackling with certain things and especially during the launch of operation in view of the existence of multi-eithnic groups in the State, otherwise it may result in ethnic conflict even at times when operations are being carried out without any pre-conceived idea from the part of security forces, he added.

Categorically pointing out the rally against Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act staged in 2004 to be a turning point, a media personality representing DDK, Y Anil said there has been a sea change in the army.

Recalling the decades old existence of army in the State, Anil maintained the present land to be their foundation and establishment and urged both the Armies and UG groups to earn recognition of the masses.

Decling the allegation that army men usually play a policy of favouritism, the commanding officer of 12 Maratha, MS Mokha said, "We are not politicians, we are law enforcement agency and so if we find anyone with gun have no choice but to apprehend according to the law, so we have no dirty feelings as to why we should favour a particular group at the cost of another group", he added.

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