SHILLONG, March 20 � Meghalaya Speaker Abu Taher Mondal today rejected an adjournment motion seeking to discuss the sweeping remarks made by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma accusing media houses as being mouthpiece of the militants and favouring only �paid news�.
Several dailies and vernacular newspapers published from here also carried blank editorials protesting the statement of the Chief Minister last week on the floor of the House.
�I am not admitting the adjournment motion,� Mondal said while pointing out the lapses on the part of Opposition United Democratic Party legislator Paul Lyngdoh�s motion which was received very late and against the rule to be admitted.
Lyngdoh, who rejected it was a question of privilege, said, �It is a matter of public importance where I thought it would be in the fitness of things the CM clarifies the statement that he had made on the floor of this House.�
Defending his statement, Mukul said, �The Chief Minister is being attempted to be gagged,� adding that such move will �go against our own rights and privileges and it goes against the provisions of the constitution itself.�
The Chief Minister had on March 10 made a sweeping remark while responding to a motion moved by Independent legislator John Leslee Sangma on the failure of the government to promote tourism in Garo Hills region.
�Media are the number one publicity houses of terrorist organisations,� Sangma had said, referring to reports highlighted by media whenever bandhs and other activities called or carried out by the militant outfits.
He also said the government intends to come up with stringent law to correct this.
As many dailies and vernacular newspapers carried blank edits, the Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association had openly sought the CM�s withdrawal of the statement �to restore� good relationships. � PTI