“The article apart from being ‘ex parte’ & lacking any objectivity, is outrightly baseless, defamatory & apparently aimed at spreading hatred against the Assam Rifles, said the IGAR (South)
TFM Desk
In a quick rebuttal, the Public Relation officer, Headquarter, Inspector General, Assam Rifles (South) Mantripukhri on Wednesday claimed that an an article written by Jagat Thoudam, the advisor to Indigenous Peoples’ Front of Manipur (IPFM) published in some local dailies and The Frontier Manipur is “based on fabricated elements of imagination with clear intention of defaming the security forces in general and IGAR (South) in particular”.
In a press note issued by PRO Mayank Prabhas, Lieutenant Colonel, officiating staff officer (Public Relations & Media), IGAR (South) said that the article ‘Civilians do not fight with armed militants in Ethnic Clash’ published by Imphal Free Press/Sangai Express/Manipur Mail/People’s Chronicle/The Frontier Manipur blaming Assam Rifles for all the mayhem that unfolded in Manipur since May 3, has a “clear intention of defaming the security forces in general and IGAR (South) in particular”.
“The article apart from being ‘ex parte’ & lacking any objectivity, is outrightly baseless, defamatory & apparently aimed at spreading hatred against the Assam Rifles as also incite animosity between the two communities”, said the press note.
“In these trying times in Manipur, nothing could be more important than the need to comply with journalistic ethics and airing stories with facts sans fabricated sweeping allegations/assessment, something which this article is riddled with”, said the PRO.
“Assam Rifles requests adequate editorial oversight to be exercised while reporting matter on security and casting aspersions on a force with impeccable record. It is requested that the rebuttal be carried predominantly by the newspaper in print and all web/social media platforms being operated”, said the press note.