Media slammed for reportage on SLP in SC

NMA president, Mrs. Abeiu Meru on April 14, when contacted over mobile by this newspaper, launched a tirade against the media for baseless reporting on various events which she alleged, were done “without consulting NMA”.
Further, she said while things had quieted down, the report on the application in the Supreme Court published on April 13, 2017 in this newspaper had stirred up things. Mrs. Meru warned that “if anything happens to the NMA (leaders) then the media will be held responsible”.
Again on April 14, a press note was issued by Abeiu Meru (president) and Rosemary Dzüvichü (advisor) along the same charges but with a threat/ intimidation that the Editor of this newspaper would be held responsible, if anything happened to them. What riled the women leaders was the report on April 13, on the application purportedly submitted by the two women leaders, through their counsel(s) for deletion of their names as petitioners from the SLP in the Supreme Court and which was accepted. In the same order, the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) through its national secretary, filed for impleadment as petitioners in place of the NMA office bearers. The apex court allowed PUCL petition but subject to the objections and reservation and reply by the respondents.
It is to reiterate that this newspaper including other newspapers have been covering the issue both in the assembly and outside since 2005-06 , purely in the interest of providing information to public on the crucial issue of 33% women reservation and the vacillating stand of the government. The issue of 33% women reservation in ULBs in Nagaland in particular, also comes into play with various objections raised by the apex Naga tribe organisations.
The issue between the office bearers of NMA and the apex Naga tribes is known to all. Therefore, this newspaper is not accountable for the events that unfolded. It is regretted, that instead of making whatever clarification as the case may be, instead the women leaders chose to shoot the messenger by intimidating the editor and media.
If by any report(s) certain people may have been hurt, it was never with any intention but only for the purpose of disseminating news.