Dr Bimol urges for regular press briefings
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 21 2024:
In a post on X, Inner Manipur MP Dr Bimol Akoijam voiced his concern over the lack of regular press briefings during the ongoing crisis in the state.
Dr.Bimol emphasised that one of the key failures of the state's governance has been the "information vacuum" created due to the absence of authoritative updates from officials.
"This vacuum has been exploited by communal forces through disinformation campaigns," Dr Bimol stated, specifically pointing out that the communal "Kuki" forces and individuals like retired army officials, including Lt Gen PC Nair (Retd), former DG of Assam Rifles, have used this to their advantage.
He also referred to conflicting information regarding the use of weaponised drones in the state.
While Lt Gen Nair has denied such incidents, Dr Bimol noted a statement by security advisor Kuldeip Singh, who is also the chairman of the unified headquarters/command, confirming the use of drones in attacks, as well as intelligence on the intrusion of 900 Kuki militants into the state.
Dr Bimol appreciated Kuldeip Singh's press briefing and urged that such briefings should be held regularly to counter disinformation and maintain transparency amid the ongoing crisis.