The press fraternity on Wednesday petitioned to Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma against home minister James Sangma in connection with the incident where the minister confronted with a senior journalist.
Meghalaya home minister James K Sangma confronted with senior journalist EM Jose after refusing to take questions from waiting journalists in front of his office chamber on January 6.
The letter submitted to chief minister Conrad K Sangma, was signed by Shillong Press Club (SPC) president David Laitphlang and general secretary Powell Sohkhlet.
Also read: Meghalaya: Minister James K Sangma misbehaves with journos
Through the letter, the SPC narrated to the CM about the incident.
The letter said the journalists had first sought an appointment with the home minister on January 6 seeking to ask him questions on several issues pertaining to the portfolios he is looking after.
The letter told the chief minister that over the years the home minister had been the most inaccessible minister, even during the most challenging times that the state went through.
Also read: Meghalaya: Journalists seek apology from home minister James Sangma
“His behaviour, to sum up in one word is downright arrogant, thereby tarnishing the entire image of your government which projects itself as a people-friendly and accessible government,” the letter said.
The press fraternity of Meghalaya in a meeting on Tuesday, held at the Shillong Press Club, had taken serious note of the incident and condemned the uncalled for the conduct of the home minister towards the members of the fourth estate.
Also read: Editors, publishers demand apology from Meghalaya home minister
The Shillong Press Club sought an unconditional apology from the home minister, with assurance from the chief minister that such unwanted behaviour will not repeat, failing which, the press fraternity will take recourse to other options.
Also read: Does James K Sangma have the courage to answer questions raised by Meghalaya journalists?
The press fraternity also said appointing an official spokesperson of the state government would help bridge the information gap especially in case of information required by the press people on various issues concerning the state and its people from time to time.