Nagaland Deputy CM sparks row with public outburst against journalist

DIMAPUR — For years together, journalists in Nagaland have been compelled to navigate the occupational hazard of balancing conflicting views, perceptions and conceptions while covering sensitive issues—which is no easy task considering the fact that almost every issue in Naga society is sensitive, one way or the other.

One such example came to the fore when Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton directed a distasteful public rebuke towards a Hornbill TV reporter in Wokha on August 23.

According to TV channel’s report, the incident occurred on August 23 when Patton–attending a meeting with government officials, community leaders and villagers—turned his attention to the channel’s reporter Deep Saikia.

In the midst of his speech, the deputy chief minister accused the journalist of questioning his absence from the border area during the eviction drives and of interviewing former BJP spokesperson and MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon instead.

Visibly frustrated, Patton berated the reporter, asking, “Who are you to speak about such matters?”

He further told Saikia not to sit in front of him and warned him not to attend his future programmes in the area. Addressing the gathered public in Nagamese, Patton remarked that he had asked villagers to “chase away” the journalist.

Also read: Nagaland, Assam agree to refrain from unilateral activities in disputed areas

The outburst has sparked concern among media circles, with observers stressing that journalists have both the right and responsibility to question leaders and hold them accountable.

Critics have argued that disagreements with media reports should be addressed through professional and respectful channels rather than public humiliation.

Patton refutes allegations

Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued by his media cell on Sunday, Patton dismissed allegations that he had failed to visit the affected border areas, calling such claims “baseless and unfounded.”

The Deputy CM asserted that he had been actively monitoring the situation from the beginning and had visited Ralan on July 24, where he held a public meeting at Liphayan village along with local MLA Achumbemo Kikon, officials and police.

On the same day, he also chaired a coordination meeting in Niuland. Patton maintained that both the Assam and Nagaland governments were working in close coordination to ensure peace during the eviction drive and appreciated the chief ministers of both states for what he termed a “successful execution” of the operation.

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Responding directly to media allegations, the deputy chief minister urged journalists to exercise “due diligence and verify facts from official sources” before publishing. He cautioned that unverified reports could mislead the public and risk escalating tensions.

KPC slams Patton

The Kohima Press Club (KPC) has expressed shock and dismay over remarks made by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton against a journalist during a public meeting in Wokha district on August 23.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the club said it was “unbecoming” of the deputy chief minister to rebuke a member of the media in a public speech, alleging that Patton not only questioned the reporter for doing his or her job but also told the reporter not to sit in front of him or to visit the area when he was present.

“The Kohima Press Club condemns the display of such dictatorial behaviour, targeting reporters for carrying out their duty. As journalists, it is our fundamental duty to question in our quest for truth and providing fair and comprehensive accounts of events,” the statement read.

The club said it was “deeply disturbed” by the manner in which its fellow journalist was verbally abused “on record and in full public view,” and appealed for a conducive environment for journalists to carry out their work.