Mukul mediates to settle photo-journalist assault case
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Mawlai legislator Founder S Cajee on Wednesday assured the press fraternity that the incident which happened a few days ago in the premises of the Assembly would not be repeated.
The assurance came from the Congress MLA during a meeting held on Wednesday with the members of the Shillong Press Club (SPC) in Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s chamber.
“What has happened will never happen again,” Cajee assured.
The meeting which was attended by Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, FS Cajee including some of his well wishers and members of SPC led by its president David Laitphlang felt that the unfortunate incident ought to be forgotten and that everyone should move forward.
Laitphlang was categorical that the press fraternity has never been confrontational saying, “we are only doing our duty.”
According to Laitphlang, the aspersions cast upon fellow journalist Walton Lyttan by Cajee ought to be retracted to avoid any unpleasantness.
“We have come today as yesterday with a spirit of compromise and wish to settle matters. We hold no grudge against anyone and who said what to whom can be ascertained by the outcome of the investigation,” Laitphlang said on behalf of the SPC.
Speaking on Cajee’s behalf, school teacher P Warlarpih stated that everyone was not present at the time of the incident and said that based on ‘hearsay’ the people are upset over comments made even as he concurred that investigations would reveal the truth.
Cajee then said, “I have come here with the intention to compromise in deference to the Chief Minister’s request and as far as I am concerned what happened has happened and shall never happen again.”
Dr Sangma also expressed his views on the matter and reminded all present that any form of incitement is dangerous.
“Let’s send a clear message to the people that whatever has happened is in the past. Let’s forgive and forget and move ahead,” Dr Sangma exhorted.
Both parties then shook hands in a spirit of reconciliation.