Dimapur Press Club demands apology from Nagaland home minister

Kohima Oct 23 (UNI) The Dimapur Press Club (DPC) has demanded apology from Nagaland Home Minister Imkong L Imchen as the latter had alleged that the media in Nagaland was involved in ''yellow journalism'' The DPC had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the minister, failing which the association had decided not to entertain functions or press statements related to Mr Imchen.

In a communique here today, the DPC said the Home Minister should have put his efforts to contain the spate of violence and criminal activities in Dimapur rather than lecturing the media on their responsibilities.

The DPC had an emergency meeting at Dimapur yesterday to discuss on the reported statement of the Home Minister.

''The remarks are a direct attack on the integrity of the state media and the fourth Estate cannot work under the diktat of a government,'' the association observed.

The DPC also requested all the editors of the newspapers in Nagaland to take up the matter seriously and extend their support to the scribes in the state.

Earlier, the Dimapur business community had demanded additional police personnel from Mr Imchen for the former's security from abduction and extortion.

But the minister refused to provide more policemen to Dimapur town alleging that the business community was cooperating with the police, accusing the mediapersons of practicing ''yellow journalism''.

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