Dimapur, Kohima & Mokokchung Press Clubs expresses shock over Deputy Kilonser’s statement
DIMAPUR, JUNE 9 (MExN): The Dimapur Press Club (DPC) has stated that it was extremely dismayed and utterly shocked at the outburst of a certain Deputy Kilonser of the GPRN/NSCN threatening media persons who were waiting to cover the CFMG-GPRN/NSCN meeting at Police Complex Chumukedima on June 7, 2012.
“No words are enough to condemn such avowal from a high ranking functionary of the GPRN/NSCN upon media persons. The statement that he will personally come and shoot the media persons if they use the prefix “SS” to the ranks/designations of GPRN/NSCN functionaries, has deeply disturbed the media persons and left them perplexed”. This was stated in a press note issued by its President, Imti Longchar, General Secretary, Filip Sumi and Information & Publicity Secretary Imkong Walling.
The DPC has sought “assurance from the GPRN/NSCN authorities that no untoward incident will happen to media persons out of the use of such prefix since they are only carrying out their assigned duties within the confines of journalistic writing”.
Stating that from time to time, media persons/houses have been subjected to work under similar pressures, the DPC pointed out that such warnings/threats could best be avoided to assist the media persons to carry out their duties and responsibilities towards the society.
The Kohima Press Club in a separate press note also expressed shock on the statement made by the Deputy Kilonser of the GPRN/NSCN, who threatened media persons on Thursday (June 7) by saying that he would personally come and shoot them if they used the letters ‘ss’ (short for self styled) attached to the ranks/designations of the outfit’s cadres.
A press statement issued by KPC President, Kopelo Krome and General Secretary, Vishü Rita Krocha stated that it is “unfortunate that a person of his caliber as per his designation has threatened the media professionals, who are trying their best to be neutral and universal without any colour, race, caste, religion, group or border”.
Further stating that the term “self styled” was never a creation of the media but the Government of India and its agencies, it also said that no one has ever questioned the media in this regard, except the concerned deputy kilonser and added that such threat is an infringement into the rights of the media persons, who are more or less spokespersons for any group/government without bias.
Similarly, the Mokokchung Press Club (MPC) also expressed its shock at the news of the incident that happened on June 7, 2012 at Police Complex, Chumukedima wherein a senior functionary of the GPRN/NSCN “blatantly threatened media persons present in the most despicable manner”. While condemning what it termed as “the craven arrogance of the Deputy Kilonser”, the MPC “prayerfully hope that such incidents do not happen in the future”.
“Media persons as well as media houses in Nagaland are subjected to work under a lot of pressure exerted from various quarters, such as this incident, which we feel is detrimental to democracy”, stated the MPC President Limalenden Longkumer and its Secretary Sashi Jamir.
Mokokchung Press Club extended its solidarity to the media fraternity of Dimapur, particularly those who were present at the unfortunate incident, and stated that it expected “the Deputy Kilonser to retract his intimidating statement that he will personally come and shoot the media persons in the best interest of one and all”.
