By Nava J Thakuria
A Guwahati city-based acclaimed Assamese newspaper has been trolled in social media for using a fake photograph to narrate the horrible story of Manipur in the front page of 19 June 2023 issue. The social media users slammed the editor of Amar Asom for using a photograph, which has been lifted from Myanmar’s influential Mizzima newspaper, with a completely different content.
The original news related to the announcement of the National Unity Government (of Burma) to take strict action against any member of the people’s defence force (PDF), who would be found guilty of killing the concerned lady in the photograph. The lady (later identified as a 24-year-old teacher named Aye Mar Tun) was beaten and finally killed for suspectedly being a military informant in November 2022.
Speaking to this correspondent from Yangon, Mizzima editor Soe Myint confirmed that the photograph was taken six months back by one of their scribes at Tamu locality of Sagaing region in northern Myanmar. He affirmed that the lady was a Myanmarese (not a Manipuri). The veteran Burmese editor also added that the concerned Assamese newspaper did not take prior permission to publish the photograph in any context.
Facing the heat, editor of the daily admitted that the photograph was wrongly used in the news item depicting the troubled situation in Manipur and he also apologized. Needless to mention that the tiny State has been facing severe ethnic conflicts for more than a month now, where hundreds have lost their lives and thousands are being displaced.
Dattatreya appeal for peace
Lately, Dattatreya Hosabale (Sarkaryavah of Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh) has appealed for peace among various communities, who have been living in Manipur for centuries with harmony. He said that the continuous violence that is going on in Manipur for the last 45 days is extremely worrisome.
The violence and uncertainty that started in the State after the protest rally organized in Churachandpur on 3 May 2023 at the time of Lai Haraoba festival is to be condemned, he said. “It is very unfortunate that the spate of unrest and violence that erupted afterwards among those who have been living a peaceful life with mutual harmony and co-operation for centuries has not yet stopped,” he added.
He stated that the RSS stands with the displaced persons and other victims of the Manipur crisis numbering more than 50,000 during this period of terrible grief.
“RSS is of the considered opinion that there is no place for violence and hatred in a democratic setup, and also believes that the solution of any problem is possible only through mutual dialogue and expression of brotherhood in a peaceful atmosphere,” said Hosabale, adding that his oranisation appeals everyone to overcome the deficit of trust among each other which is the cause of the present crisis.
“It requires comprehensive efforts from both communities. It can be resolved by addressing the sense of insecurity and helplessness among the Meiteis and genuine concerns of the Kuki community simultaneously,” observed Hosabale.
The Sangh appeals to the government including local administration, police, military and the central agencies to take every possible step to immediately stop this painful violence, ensure the seamless supply of relief materials among the displaced along with necessary actions to maintain peace and harmony.
It also appeals to the entire civil society, political groups of Manipur and common people to take every possible initiative to put an end to the present chaotic and violent situation and ensure safety of human life and permanent peace in Manipur.
