Imphal, Jul 27: The United Committee Manipur has written to the Press Council of India to take up fitting action against The Telegraph for its report published in its July 23 edition under the caption, "Naga students 'win' text book battle." In the representation sent to the PCI, UCM said that the misleading report created tension and within hours of getting the news, various State level bodies and civil organisations burnt the effigies of HRD Minister Arjun Singh, AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Fortunately the tension subsided after Arjun Singh disclaimed the report in a conversation with the Chief Minister of Manipur, said UCM.

Contending that the 'distorted and highly exaggerated' report violates the ethics of journalism, UCM urged the PCI to take up disciplinary action against the Editor of The Telegraph.

Describing the backdrop of the text book imbroglio and the highly charged atmosphere over the issue at Manipur, UCM said publishing such a news item was provocative.

UCM questioned why the Editor of the paper did not confirm the report from the officials of the HRD or the Minister himself.

Arjun Singh had informed the Chief Minister that the newspaper did not confirm the assurance from him and dubbed it as unfortunate, said UCM.

The representation also accused the Editor of mixing advocacy with news reporting which amounts to misrepresenting the facts.

The UCM urged the PCI to take up action and ensure that The Telegraph maintains high standard of public taste and foster a due sense of both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and The Telegraph be censured and issue requirements to publish in the true spirit of journalism.