Dimapur, August 25 (MExN): Former two-time Lok Sabha candidate Hayithung Bill Lotha expressed “utter shock and dismay” over an incident of Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton’s “public abuse and belligerent attitude against a journalist in the course of a public meeting under Wokha district” on August 23.
Lotha condemned the Deputy CM's actions as a “distasteful and harmful public rebuke” and “highly condemnable in a democratic polity.” He characterized the remarks as “hate speech, intimidation, threat, public shaming actions” expressing concern for the journalist's mental well-being.
“The concern journalist was simply executing his professional assignment. Infact journalists are duty bound to seek and report the truth, providing the public with fair, accurate, and comprehensive accounts of events and issues to foster public enlightenment and support democracy.” Lotha added in his press release.
