The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has criticised the local media for reporting the threats and demands of a purported terror group, Lawei ba Phyrnai.
In a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, HITO said that the media should verify the antecedents of press releases before publishing their contents and should “avoid creating unnecessary panic” among the public.
The pressure group also condemned Lawei ba Phyrnai’s demand to free the convicted child rapist and former MLA and former militant Julius Dorphang. If he is not released, the ‘militants’ threatened to blow up a school.
“Their claim of being highly educated is bogus because an educated person wouldn’t demand freedom for a habitual rapist,” HITO said while asking the police to hunt down those behind the threats.
“The government should take stern action against such newspapers that willingly publish such unverified rubbish aimed at nothing but to disturb peace and harmony of the state,” it added.
Lawei ba Phyrnai claims to be a “terror group” formed by 37 “qualified jobless youth” had sent its first email to Chief Minister, Governor and some police officials on April 1 and another yesterday.
In the first email, the group claimed to have been formed by 37 “qualified jobless youth” and threatened a series of bomb blasts targeting educational institutions every week from May 1.
Yesterday, it wanted the release of former HNLC leader Julius Dorphang, who is in jail after he was convicted for raping a minor girl. The deadline to release Dorphang is on April 9, 10 pm.
The publicity secretary identified himself as a school teacher whose contract was allegedly terminated at the behest of the Chief Minister and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui. He also claimed that the group was originally an educational society before members and sponsors laid down their pens in exchange for AK-47s.
