Dimapur, March 2 (MExN): The Dimapur Press Club (DPC) has expressed disbelief and deep concern over the alleged threat issued to one of the members of Kohima Press Club (KPC) by the spouse of Nagaland State unit BJP media cell convenor, Sapralu Nyekha.
DPC in its statement on Thursday said, “We, as journalists, have always understood and accepted differences, misunderstandings and even disputes with governments, political parties, organisations, and individuals as occupational hazards that are more often than not learning experiences for all concerned.”
“But our acceptance of this hazard does not extend to any forms of intimidation—let alone veiled threats by the spouse of the media cell convenor of a national political party to find the residence of the journalist with the help of “his youth,”” the club added.
As a group of media professionals, DPC said, its unflinching belief is that “all disputes ought to be resolved in a manner that is dignified to all concerned. There is neither dignity nor decency in threats.”
“We have no hesitation in offering our solidarity to KPC and in condemning the threat issued to the journalist. DPC is in agreement with KPC’s stand that should any unfortunate incident befall on the journalist, the media cell convenor as well as the Nagaland BJP leadership will be held equally responsible,” DPC asserted.
Sapralu tenders ‘unconditional apology’
Meanwhile, Nagaland State unit BJP media cell convenor, Sapralu Nyekha has tendered “unconditional apology” to Kohima Press Club (KPC) through a letter addressed to KPC President, Alice Yoshu on March 2. In her “unconditional apology” to the club for “the heated exchange” in ‘Press4 BP Nagaland Group,’ Sapralu said, “I take back my words and beg due apology to all those that were affected by the unfortunate incident, which was never my intention in the first place.”
“Going forward, I assure you as a karyakarta of the party, I shall take care to see and check every press statements coming from the party side in order that no misinformation is inadvertently handed out to the press. Henceforth, I do hope, with the spirit of forgive and forget, we can continue to closely work together in the coming days,” Sapralu added.
