Press bodies slam Nagaland Minister Yanthungo Patton for ‘dictatorial’ conduct; call it a direct attack on democracy
TFM Desk
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton has come under fire from multiple journalist associations after he has been alleged of publicly berating and humiliating Hornbill TV, Nagaland journalist Deep Saikia during a public meeting at Wokha district on August 23. The incident has triggered strong condemnation across the Northeast, with press clubs and media bodies demanding accountability and safeguards for reporters.
According to eyewitnesses and verified media reports, Patton reacted angrily when Saikia questioned him about his alleged absence from the border areas during ongoing eviction drives. As per reports available, in full public view, the Deputy CM not only shouted down the journalist but went so far as to order him not to sit in front of him, warned him against attending future events, and even told villagers to “chase away” the reporter. Press organisations have termed the conduct “dictatorial,” “dangerous,” and “a direct threat to press freedom.”
MDMA: ‘Brazen assault on democratic values’
The Manipur Digital Media Association (MDMA) issued a scathing resolution on August 25, calling Patton’s behavior an “outrageous conduct” that endangered both the dignity of the profession and the personal safety of the journalist.
“This conduct is unbecoming of a person holding high public office… Such intimidation and incitement of the public against a reporter is an assault on democratic values, freedom of expression, and the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India,” the statement read.
The MDMA demanded:
- An immediate and unconditional apology from Patton.
- Concrete assurances from the Nagaland government on journalists’ safety.
- A reaffirmation from political leaders that the press cannot be threatened or obstructed.
The association further urged national press councils, unions, and human rights bodies to take note, warning that silence would embolden future attacks.
Kohima & Mokokchung Press Clubs Join Chorus
Earlier on August 24, the Kohima Press Club (KPC) and Mokokchung Press Club (MPC) on August 25, also condemned the incident.
The KPC called the outburst “dictatorial behaviour,” stressing that “as journalists, it is our fundamental duty to question in our quest for truth.” It appealed for a “conducive environment” for journalists to perform their duties.
The MPC, while noting Patton’s subsequent clarification disputing the journalist’s report, underlined that disagreements must be handled through “right of reply and institutional channels, not intimidation or denial of access.”
“A free and independent press is non-negotiable in the functioning of any healthy democracy,” the MPC declared, urging respect for journalists as guardians of public accountability.
A Larger Pattern of Intolerance?
Observers note that this confrontation adds to a growing list of instances where politicians in the Northeast have displayed hostility towards journalists, often branding uncomfortable questions as adversarial. Rights groups caution that such rhetoric not only intimidates reporters but risks emboldening mobs against individual journalists. Nationally, India’s press freedom has been under scrutiny, with the country slipping in international press freedom rankings. Civil society groups warn that incidents like the Wokha episode reflect a shrinking democratic space for free inquiry.