Nagaland killings: Konyak Union says media politicising, twisting Oting incident

Our Correspondent
Mon, Dec. 9 (EMN): The Konyak Union (KU) has claimed that media from outside Nagaland are “politicising” and “twisting” the Oting incident.

The union had on Wednesday asked the press fraternity not to “interfere or cover stories and news coverage at ground zero (Oting village), so as to pave way for smooth investigation and also not to create unnecessary disturbances towards the bereaved family members”.

Vice President of KU, Honang told Eastern Mirror that “everyone is rushing to ground zero” and “politicising” the issue.

“We don’t want the issue to be politicised,” he said.

The union leader clarified that their decision to restrict the media was not to hide details.

‘Restriction does not mean we don’t want to give details. We are restricting it because they are politicising it,’ Honang said.

He said “the truth” about the incident has been “laid”. Yet, the media were “twisting” it and “confusing” the people.

‘When we are fighting for justice and if the media come and twist (the incident), it is not good,’ he added.

He further urged all not to “dilute” their minds when in a state of confusion.

He appealed that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) be allowed safe passage and time to carry out the investigation.

On a delegation of Congress leaders being stopped at Jorhat airport by the district administration when they were on their to Oting village, he wondered why a political organisation should be restricted to come “when we are crying”. ‘Let the people come but don’t politicise the issue,’ he said.

While demanded justice, he urged all to respect people’s mourning. ‘We don’t want the world to politicise it when someone is mourning’, he added.

A total of 14 youths from Nagaland’s Mon district were killed by the Indian security forces in an ambush, alleged to be a case of mistaken identity, on December 4 and in the unfolding events that followed.