[Assam] EMFA condemns extortion notice to Media Houses

[Nava Thakuria]

Dear editor/friends,
Here is a statement for your information and kind use.
Regards,
Nava Thakuria,
President,  
Electronic Media Forum Assam,
Ambari, Guwahati-781001 
(m) 98640 44917 
 
EMFA condemns extortion notice to Media Houses 
Guwahati: Electronic Media Forum Assam (EMFA) has condemned the Asom Sahitya 
Sabha for serving extortion notices to a number of Electronic Media Houses in 
Guwahati. A letter printed in ASS pad (vide no 2010-2011-2165-71) and signed by 
its general secretary Paramananda Rajbangshi  has demanded Rs 3,50,000 (Rupees 
three lakh fifty thousand only) from at least four news channels namely 
NewsLive, DY365, NewsTime Assam and Prag News at the earliest. 

Asom Sahitya Sabha (ASS), the highest literary forum of Assam, has been mired in 
controversies in the recent past for many unconstitutional activities allegedly 
carried out by its present secretary. 

The ASS secretary Rajbangshi, argues in a demand notice that the local news 
channels have not contributed to his organization, nor they have shown proper 
interest in the growth and popularization of Assamese language and culture. 
Rajbangshi even warned that if the news channels do not respond in time to his 
demand notice, the ASS would go for legal actions against them.
The EMFA, in a statement issued to the media houses, terms the contents of the 
demand notice as akin to an extortion notice normally served by militant 
organizations and hence asks the ASS to immediately withdraw the said demand 
notice. The forum also urges the authority to take proper action against this 
kind of practice, so that the media in this trouble torn region can function 
smoothly and effectively.