EGM, AMWJU rubbish Nair's claim
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 10 2024: The Editors Guild Manipur and the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) have reacted sharply to the claim made by former Director General of Assam Rifles Lieutenant General PC Nair that media are not true in its reportage during the crisis in Manipur.

EGM and AMWJU, in a joint statement, also stated that the claim made by the Lieutenant General that weaponized drones and rockets were not used to attack residential areas during a programme called On Point in News9 is not borne by facts.

Local media arc particularly careful while reporting during the conflict and self censure is the norm to ensure that it doesn't lead to further violence, AMWJU and EGM said.

The EGM and AMWJU went on to state that the statement of PC Nair that fake videos are floating in social media is correct.

They also said that the media in Manipur take special precautions in reporting visuals.

Saying that the allegation of PC Nair that weaponized drones are not used is not borne by facts, EGM and AMWJU added 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 EGM and AMWJU also contended that 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 claim that rockets were not fired is also not borne by fact, they added.

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, they said and added that the rockets that were fired at Oksungbung 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 Kms and landed at Oksungbung, Tronglaobi and Moirang if they were not rockets, EGM and AMWJU asked the former Director of Assam Rifles.

Perhap 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 their dismay to the former Director of Assam Rifles for undermining the reportage of the journalists.

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