Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAR 20
MEDIA fraternity covering the 4th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly today lodged a complaint with the Speaker of the Assembly Chotisu Sazo after being inordinately harassed by security persons who restricted their movement inside the assembly complex.This despite the necessary permits and passes obtained by the fraternity to attend the session. At the first instance a section of the media persons while trying to enter the Assembly complex from the Gate No. 1 were surprised that the security officers were not provided with the name list of private reporters. Nonetheless, it was provided later.
Subsequently, the media persons entered inside the Assembly Secretariat through the entrance behind the Chief Minister’s entrance. This was the usual entry route for the media persons till the December 2013 session. As the day’s session adjourned, they returned by the same way to board their vehicles parked outside Gate No. 1. However, a security personnel reportedly from the Police Intelligence branch stopped the media-persons and questioned their credentials.
On giving positive reply, the media-persons were surprised as they told in Nagamese “aji toh yate para ahise hoele bhi kali para toh yate na ahibi”.( Today you have come by this way, but from tomorrow do not come by this way)The reporters were given the explanation that entry restrictions were being implemented as per order from higher authorities on grounds of security.
The decision surprised the media as they had no prior communication of such directions or concerns.
The fraternity informed the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Roads & Bridges Kuzholuzo Nienu, who heard their grievance and assured them to inform the NLA speaker Choitsuh Sazo.
Subsequently, the media-persons aired their complaints to Sazo and wanted to know how after all these years reporters are being viewed as a threat to the legislators.
The NLA Speaker tried to interpret the incident as a communication gap and reassured the fraternity in the presence of the Assembly secretary AE Lotha that their complaint is being noted and corrective steps to address the same will follow. The media fraternity have however conveyed to the Speaker that, if the unwanted restrictions are imposed even tomorrow, none of the media persons will be covering the proceedings of the Assembly until such time the corrective measures are in place.
