Media fraternity in Shillong taking out a silent protest on April 19 against the recent incident of throwing petrol bomb at the residence of the Editor of The Shillong Times. (NNN Photo)
Newmai News Network
Shillong | April 19
The silent protest taken out by the media fraternity along the streets of Shillong on Thursday spoke volumes about unity of the media which came out in strong condemnation against an attack on one of their own.
This silent march which was organized by the Shillong Press Club (SPC) was replete with banners and posters, condemning the petrol bomb attack at the residence of the Editor of The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim which was carried out by unknown miscreants on Tuesday night.
The march started from Shillong Press Club premises at Lower Lachumier here and passed through Barik Point, Shillong Civil Hospital point, Secretariat road, Raj Bhavan and culminated at the club premises.
“We will continue to be strong and urged all of us especially the young friends to remain committed to the job and profession that we have taken up with much love and dedication because it’s the only thing we know and that is of writing the truth,” Patricia Mukhim said at the sidelines of this march while underscoring the need for the media fraternity to always stick together to brave what she termed as ‘criminals’ and ‘anti-democratic forces’.
Mukhim also said that there are some groups and some people with vested interests who do not want the truth to be told or for their acts of omission to be exposed. “However, in democracy there is always space for dissent,” she asserted.
“If you don’t like a certain view you give a rejoinder or come with an alternative view or come forward to address the grievances in the Shillong Press Club or write to the newspapers and there are many ways of resolving an issue that you don’t agree with or when you think that someone has misquoted or written wrongly about you,” she said. Stating that there is no space for compulsion, threats and intimidation in democracy, she said, “I really wish that we stand together and always keep standing for the truth because without it there is no journalism and we are going to dilute our writings just because these so-called criminals are after our blood.”
Sending a strong message, Shillong Press Club president David Laitphlang said, “I just want to tell the criminals involved in the act to better watch out because somebody is coming after you and you will be hunted and penalized and you will spend some quality time in jail.”
Asserting that journalists will continue to do what they do best, he said, “No matter what forces stand between us, we will overcome and prevail and do even better and no one will make us cower down.”
Shillong Times Editor provided armed guards: Police
Shillong, April 19 (PTI): The Editor of English daily The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim was today provided armed security guards by the police in the wake of hurling of a petrol bomb by unidentified men at her residence on Tuesday.
The police also ordered a tight vigil near her residence here. The journalist, who was awarded Padma Shri in 2000 for her work in the fields of social justice and women's empowerment, was home when two men on a motorcycle stopped by her residence and lobbed the bomb at her house on Tuesday.
"Two armed guards have been given to Mukhim based on the current threat perception," a senior police officer told PTI.
He said the journalist had earlier filed an FIR with the district police after one person had issued death threat to her on Facebook.
While no arrest has been in this case, the police are looking at possible clues to solve the case, the officer said.
State Home Minister James K Sangma said, "Adequate security has been provided to the Editor in view of the incident on Tuesday." He said police patrolling in and around her residence at Umpling locality in the city has been ordered to ensure that a sense of security prevails in that area.
Earlier today, journalists and Shillong Press Club member staged a silent march in the city in protest against the attack on Mukhim.
Carrying placards condemning the incident, journalists from all over the state participated in the march from the Shillong Press Club to the Raj Bhavan Secretariat.
