Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 23
Journalists in Kohima wanting to cover the resignation Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and staking of claim by TR Zeliang at Raj Bhavan were peeved by the so-called ‘communication gap’ this morning.
Considering the important historic happening, journalists from various media houses, including television and radio channels, on receiving information from Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the mouth piece of state government, went to Raj Bhavan as early as possible to cover or for that matter at least get some pictures of the two simultaneous happenings.
On reaching Naga Bhavan, an extension of Raj Bhavan where the outgoing and incoming CMs along with others were supposed to call on Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar for submission of resignation as well as staking claims for formation of new government, media persons were directed to Conference Hall of the Naga Bhavan citing security reasons by the officials of Raj Bhavan. The officials had also informed the waiting journalists that once it is time for photo session, they would inform the media people who even wanted to take the opportunity to ask at least some questions to the both the CMs. Obliging to the request, media persons were seated in the conference hall, but were never informed about the already completed photo session. The journalists were taken aback as the official photographer of DIPR came down and said it is over and the two leaders have left.
Immediately rushing up, the media fraternity approached the ADC to Governor and complained as to why they were not informed when they had been there for the very purpose.
The ADC tried to compromise stating that he had sent a runner to call the media persons but the runner never reached the conference hall nor did the media persons get the information.
Subsequently, the Governor was informed and he held DIPR responsible as it is supposed to be the mouth piece of the government and termed it as ‘communication gap’. The Governor also humbly apologized on behalf of DIPR.
Meanwhile, Department of Information & Public Relations, in a press release issued this afternoon, “expressed regret that due to some communication gap, there were inconveniences caused to the media fraternity at Raj Bhavan, Kohima. The incident is deeply regretted and it shall be the Department’s endeavour to see that in future such situation would not occur”.
