NPA cautions govt against NAI

Nagaland Press Association (NPA) on Friday said it was surprised to learn about a memorandum submitted to Nagaland Governor, P.B. Acharya by “Newspapers Association of India” (NAI) led by one Monojit Singha, convener North East zonal committee and accompanied by Thungchamo Humtsoe claiming to be the state coordinator of NAI. NPA in a statement pointed out that the memorandum was personally received by the Governor himself on April 18, 2017 at Raj Bhavan, Kohima. NPA said it also learnt that the chief secretary’s office directed the concern department to look into the memorandum.

NPA said it was shocked to see that the so called Newspapers Association of India had formed its Nagaland chapter and had met the head of state without even bothering to inform and coordinate with the existing Newspapers published from Nagaland. 

“None of the functional newspapers in Nagaland are aware of this recent initiative of the NAI and it has been verified that the so called office bearers of its Nagaland Chapter are not affiliated to any of the local newspapers,” NPA stated.

Though NAI may have good intentions, the NPA said it cannot simply accept the manner in which NAI had taken such a step to connect with the Nagaland government “through the backdoor and more disturbingly engaging with local youths who have no credibility or authority to represent the existing newspapers.” It said one youth by the name C. Atsaba Sangtam was the state president NAI while Chichamo Humtsoe as vice president and one Thungchamo Humtsoe as the general secretary.

Further, NPA said it was equally shocked that the office of the Governor, chief secretary and DIPR did not find it worthwhile to cross-check and verify with the Editors and Publishers of newspapers in Nagaland. 

“Instead showing utter neglect and ignorance, the government has gone to the extent of entertaining such organizations who come through the backdoor and whose representatives have no connection at all with the local media,” NPA stated.

In this regard, NPA has urged upon the state government to carefully scrutinize the genuineness and credibility of any organization, like the one in question, before it entertains officially and clarify the matter in order to protect the image and credentials of the genuine media persons in Nagaland.