SHILLONG, JUNE 2: Steering clear of commenting on the recent ban imposed by the full bench of Meghalaya high court on the print and electronic media from publishing bandh called by the proscribed HNLC or any other organisations, Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Mehta vehemently defended himself saying he had no intention of trampling the freedom of the press.
The high court recently ordered that the media must not carry statements of organisations that may “disturb the even tempo of day-to-day public life” and violate the fundamental rights of the citizens, be it in terms of bandhs, strikes, hartals, road blockades and rallies after Mehta had appealed to the court to restrain the media from publishing any such statements issued by HNLC or any other such banned organization.
Mehta, however, did admit that the it would be difficult on the part of the police to control if the banned organisations like HNLC or GNLA uses other mode of communications like social media or by pasting poster to publise their shutdown or other activities. He said, ““We may have no control over certain things (social media), but will continue to fight against anti-social elements till the law of the land is restored.”
Defending his plea to the high court to restrain the media from reporting the banned organisations bandh, Mehta said he had made the request as bandh called by the HNLC creates fear psychosis in people, when the outfit has about 30-40 cadres.
Mehta said, “There are just 30-40 cadres of the HNLC in Bangladesh, but people still live in fear psychosis when this unlawful organisation calls a bandh. People should also defy the bandh and come out.”
Mehta also assured that the police are responsible for the safety and security of the people, irrespective of whether there is a bandh or it is a normal day.
Yesterday the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) – another banned outfit – had announced that the outfit will announce any form of agitation by plastering posters in view of the high court order banning the media from publishing its activities.
When asked if the banned outfit uses poster to announce its activities including bandh will it not endangers people’s life and properties for those who might not be aware of such announcement as it might cover limited areas, Mehta said it is the police duty to ensure the safety and security of the public.
Talking about the GNLA, Mehta said, “There is no ideology…where is the ideology and they are murdering people on any day. We are fighting against them and this fight would go on.”- By Our Reporter
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