By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In an unprecedented incident, Laban MDC Sanbor Shullai (NCP) launched a verbal attack against media persons on the floor of the House during the concluding day of the KHADC budget session here on Tuesday.
Participating in the Amendment Motion against the proposed Bill of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Appointment and succession of Syiem, Deputy Syiem, Elector and Rangbah Shnong of Mylliem Syiemship), Shullai surprised everybody present in the House when he launched a diatribe against media persons instead of dwelling on the pros and cons of the proposed Bill.
The Laban MDC started by pointing his hand towards the media gallery and questioning some media persons for not reporting his statement verbatim (which he had made on the floor of the House) relating to a resolution on the enrolment of doubtful voters which was moved by Mawkyrwat MDC Enbin K Raswai (HSPDP).
Shullai went on to abuse the media person by referring to the letter issued by the KHADC secretary to the Rilbong Kench’s Trace Welfare Association (RKTWA) to clarify over issuing of residential certificates by the Association, within a period of 30 days.
He said that other newspapers mentioned the name of Manas Chaudhuri who is the secretary of the Association but questioned why The Shillong Times did not mention Chaudhuri’s name.
After this, Shullai during the deliberations even questioned as to who is the reporter of the The Shillong Times on the floor of the House.
“I appeal to the Chairman of the House that if media persons cannot report correctly what we speak in the House then they should not be not allowed to cover the sessions of the Council anymore,” Shullai said.
After this, media persons staged a walk out to oppose the verbal attack made by the Laban MDC against them.
Later in the evening, the Shillong Press Club (SPC) held an emergent meeting to discuss the matter.
After the meeting, it was unanimously resolved to demand unconditional public apology from Shullai for his behaviour against the media fraternity.
The SPC has also decided to write to the KHADC Chairman Fabian Lyngdoh with the request to delete the statement made by Shullai against the media from the proceedings of the House.
Meanwhile, KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngain N Syiem has apologised to media persons for the incident which had taken place on the floor of the House.
“The action on the part of Shullai is uncalled for,” Syiem added.
