SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Editors’ and Publishers’ Association (MEPA) has welcomed the statement of Chief Ministers Mukul Sangma on the occasion of National Press Day celebrations on November 15 that his Government will liberally provide financial help to newspapers in the State to enable them to pay salaries to the journalists as per the recommendations of the Majithia Wage Board.
During an emergency executive meeting held here on Tuesday, chaired by M. Shabong, the Executive Committee of MEPA expressed happiness over the Chief Minister’s official statement and hoped that the Government will materialize immediately his solemn promise before the press.
MEPA boycotts JHTOA
The MEPA has resolved to black out all news and press releases concerning the Jaintia Hills Truck Owners’ Association (JHTOA) led by one Balen Thubru in protest against the assault perpetrated by him and his cohorts against two scribes – Ruhi Phawa and D. Paul Lamare – on November 10.
MEPA has appealed to all media organizations in the State to boycott the JHTOA.
The MEPA said that the scribes were carrying out their professional duties in exposing the illegal violation by the truckers of Jaintia Hills against the ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal.
Further, MEPA also criticized the Jaintia Hills Police who were slow in taking action against the assailants and also came down heavily on the district authorities who look the other way against violators of the NGT order.
MEPA has also demanded that the Government should punish the perpetrators according to law.