Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, October 11 2008:
"The Director General of Police (DGP) Y Joykumar was ordered to find out the truth behind the news report of fertilizers being smuggled and that could be the reason why he had summoned the reporters to get the source on the story," said Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh while talking to news-persons on the sideline of the Territorial Army Day celebration Banquet Hall of 1st Manipur Rifles today.
The chief minister also conceded that, if needed, media sources were to be sought confidentially in the court.
However, the DGP must have done it to ascertain authenticity of the connection between personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and the fertilizers, he maintained.
It may be mentioned here that the DGP had summoned reporters involved in filing the story of fertilizer smuggling especially the alleged involvement of the IRB personnel.
Reacting to this summon as a disregard to journalists of the state, All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) had demanded an unconditional apology by the DPG and a transfer of the police chief by October 14 .
Meanwhile, releasing a press statement in this connection, Y.Biren Meitei, general secretary of the media union stated that this act of the chief minister was to save the face of the DGP and hence condemned the act.