Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 28:
Five staff members of the Imphal-based evening daily Imphal Today were nabbed while extorting money in the name of DESAM by the volunteers of the student body today.
Speaking to reporters, DESAM vice-president PC Newton disclosed that with the full knowledge of the editor of the daily, the staff members demanded Rs 50,000 from Kangla Food Products, Keishampat under the pretext of repairing computer systems and vehicles.
The impostors ma naged to extort Rs 46,000 from the Kangla Food Products in two terms.
Observing that such activity is a direct insult to the media fraternity, the DESAM leader noted that the ring leader of the extortionist gang was the general manager of the daily paper Yaikhom Sushildro (34) of Thoubal Achouba.
The impostor extortionists paraded before media were circulation and advertisement in-charge of the daily Thounaojam Romesh (23) s/o Chaoba of Singjamei Thongam Leikai, trainee reporter Phanjoubam Herojit s/o Shyam of Brahmapur Bheigyabati Leikai, trainee reporter Philem Minajesh (30) s/o Tomba of Sagolband Yambem Leirak, and photo journalist Laishram Chaokar (27) s/o Na bakishore of Sagolband Khamnam Leirak.
Newton further sought a definite clarification from the publisher of the daily Ahongshangbam Premkumar as he was morally responsible for the anti-social and unethical activities perpetrated by his staff members.
Further, he asked the editor Dinamani Haoba, trainee reporter Yumnam Rishikanta of Thoubal Kiyam and Soibam Rohen of Porompat to give in to DESAM.
Saying that DESAM has definite information about the identities of 4/5 other gang members who used to work in collusion with the impostor scribes of the Imphal Today, the DESAM representative declared that the daily paper was banned with immediate effect.
He added that the prohibition would remain until and unless an understanding is reached with the Editors' Forum Manipur and the All Manipur Working Journalists' Union.
The apprehended extortionist would be handed over to respective family members, he mentioned.
Further DESAM president LC Santosh disclosed that even as Imphal Today was a small establishment, it has 54 staff members most of whom were trainee reporters.
From each staff member more than Rs 10,000 was taken by the management of the paper for their appointment, added Santosh.
Within the establishment of the Imphal Today, there was a big row over the refusal of the management to reimburse the money collected during the appointment of staff members, he mentioned.
Asking all those involved in the extortion cases to give in to DESAM along with the money they collected by November 4, failing which they should accept the punishment awarded to them by public for their crimes, warned the DESAM president.