By Our Reporter
Shillong: Working president of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Jaiaw legislator Paul Lyngdoh has clarified that the UDP had no hand in the recent FIR filed by individual supporters of MLA and Mining Minister, BM Lanong against The Shillong Times columnist, HH Mohrmen.
“The UDP has no knowledge of the FIR filed by five supporters of Mr Bindo M Lanong, MLA and Mining Minister, against columnist HH Mohrmen, alleging that he had defamed Lanong, nor did the party authorize anyone to do so,” Lyngdoh said, adding that it is wrong to tarnish the name of the UDP as a party that is trying to use strong arm tactics against the media.
“As a party we respect press freedom and wish to see an independent and vibrant media in Meghalaya which would play its role with full responsibility,” the UDP working President said Press fraternity demands apology: Meanwhile, the journalist fraternity across the State has condemned the reprehensible attempt by a few individuals to suppress the freedom of expression and speech of a citizen by the way of filing of anFIR against HH Morhmen for his recent article published in The Shillong Times wherein the writer questioned the inordinate delay on the part of the government to come out with an official mining policy.
The Shillong Press Club (SPC) in an emergency meeting held on Wednesday decided to demand an unconditional apology from the complainants and immediate withdrawal of the FIR.
It may be mentioned police on Monday summoned Mohrmen to the Laitumkhrah Police Station to quiz him on edit-page special article directed against the ‘unregulated mining and the flagship programmes’ of the Congress-led MUA government in Meghalaya.
Mohrmen was summoned after supporters of Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong lodged a FIR against him.
Taking serious note of the incident, the SPC has threatened to resort to measures against the individual/s or entity as per its discretion if they fail to tender an apology and withdraw the FIR.
Meanwhile, the Jaiñtia Journalist Association (JJA) has also condemned the incident saying the FIR was nothing but an attempt to stifle media persons from airing their constructive views and reporting facts to the readers.
It demanded withdrawal of the complaint within 48 hours.