Nagaland Minister Kheto says that it is most unfortunate that a member of the press fraternity has been attacked. Once again, violation the ceasefire ground rules, NSCN (IM) cadres injured Nagaland Post journalist, Xavier Rutsa.

According to sources NSCN (IM) ‘Capt.’ Chuanga and ‘Lt.’ Yanger who were involved in the incident had been kept in the custody of the organisation and deported to its Council Headquarters at Camp Hebron at Munglamukh. NSCN (IM) has reportedly admitted that the shooting of Rutsa was not pre-meditated and that the erring cadres had shot at him under the influence of alcohol. Nagaland Post Kohima correspondent Xavier Rütsa was shot by a gunman around the premises of the New NST at Kohima. Rütsa was being accompanied by a fellow journalist Atou Liezetsu who also works for the same newspaper.

They were returning from Nishit Dholabhai’s residence after having dinner. Dholabhai is a correspondent of The Telegraph. Rütsa and Liezetsu were riding home on a scooter when the armed assailant asked them to stop. But as the journalists decided to speed away, the miscreant fired at them from behind. The bullet hit Rütsa in his bottom. He was immediately taken to Oking Hospital where he was operated.

Unprecedented protests from every section of the society followed the shooting incident. Terming the incident as an attack of fourth estate, the Press Crops Of Nagaland resoled to demand to know from the various armed factions the following ­— Whether they authorized assassination attempt and if not, what steps are being taken to reveal the identity of those responsible and what punishment is being taken to check such elements who are spreading terror and violence in society?

Further, the PCN reaffirms total support to the demands of the Kohima Press Club in its representation addressed to the State Chief Minister regarding immediate arrest of the criminals responsible for the assassination attempt. The PCN resolved to give the government agencies a reasonable time within which it must effect arrest and punishment of those responsible failing which the entire press fraternity will have no option, but to resort to their own course of action. The PCN has also resolved to stand by what is right for our society and appeals to the right-thinking citizens to stand in solidarity against anti-social activities, without fear or favour. The PCN also resolves to sound the wake up call to the people and fervently appeal to all to help stop the menace of gun culture from claiming more victims or further destroying our society.

Further the press fraternity staged a protest rally at the MLA Hostel Junction in Kohima and registered strong condemnation over the shooting of Xavier Rütsa. “Down with guns/ stop violence,” “ We condemn guns without sense,” “ Kill gun culture,” “ Stop attack on media,” “ Save the media,” “Stop the bloodshed” “ Explain this,” were some of the placards carried out in the protest. Representative from Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Mothers Association, Royal Club, Kohima and Naga Hoho also extended their solidarity with the press fraternity in the protest rally.

On its part the State Government assured that it would make all-out efforts to bring to book the miscreants. Expressing shock and terming it as abominable and cowardly act on the part of the assassins ‘who perhaps wanted to take the life ‘ of the journalist, Nagaland Minister Kheto stated that it was most unfortunate.

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