Combined civil society group of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), Dimapur Urban Council Chairman Federation (DUCCF), GBs Union Dimapur (GBUD) and Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) have jointly condemned what they described as “false allegation” published in a local daily on December 7, 2018 under the headline “December fest: Biz community flags DMC for involving political party”.
In a joint statement, NCD vice president, DUCCF president, GBUD president and NWHD publicity & information secretary stated that the report was not only implicating and defaming DMC, a government agency, but also all civil societies and the organizing committee “The Better Dimapur Team”.
“A reputed newspaper agency must not abuse it’s freedom of journalism for the cited above issue,” the signatories said.
They explained that the issue arose due to the two events — The Dimapur Fest and night carnival — scheduled on the same date, but was amicably resolved with initiation of DUCCF and NCD on November 21, 2018 between “The Better Dimapur Team” and DCCI BAN and EDBA.
At the same time, they said the combined civil bodies were not affiliated to any political party in any manner.
Further, the signatories said they highly condemned the attitude and act of defamation for bringing confusion, division and mistrust amongst the organisations and specially in the minds of the public. “Such unauthorised articles flashing in the media by the journalist must be condemned by all right thinking citizens of the State,” they said.
The signatories maintained that the responsible journalist must tender an apology to the public and the organisers for tarnishing the whole concept of December Fest, which they said was much awaited by young and old with full enthusiasm.