I have come across a press release issued by the Secretary MIP NSCN (K) in some news dailies on 12th January 2006, labeling The Morung Express as the mouthpiece of the NSCN (IM) and attributing the faction as the sponsors and financers of The Morung Express. The NSCN (K) purportedly struggling for a peoples cause should have been more forthcoming in substantiating the allegations with documentary evidence and concrete proof to the satisfaction of all concerned, lest the press statement of the esteemed organization would be constructed as a wild accusation without any basis.
I have been an avid reader of the paper since its inception last year. And as far as I can discern from the Editorial, contents and reporting, The Morung Express appears to be very objective and there is no indication of leanings and preference shown by the paper in any manner towards the NSCN (IM), let alone its mouthpiece. To the best of my knowledge, The Morung Express is neither sponsored nor financed by any underground factions, but the paper was launched by a band of dedicated and highly qualified Naga youngsters after prolonged deliberations for the cause of a just society.
In view of the above facts, the surmise that The Morung Express is being sponsored and financed by certain underground factions appear to be perfunctory, bereft of any truth and hence the allegations are defamatory in nature. Therefore in the interest of justice and fairplay, the national workers and its leadership must restrain themselves from damaging the reputation and career of the budding Naga youngsters in the factional game of one-upmanship.
M. Jamir, Dimapur
