Meghalaya home minister confront journalists for asking questions

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 6, 2020

SHILLONG: In what could be termed as unprecedented, home minister James K Sangma while avoiding giving interviews on Monday accused journalists of blocking his way and even confronted a senior journalist asking him “what is your problem”.

The incident took place at around 5.30 pm when eight journalists who were waiting outside the home minister’s chamber in the state secretariat approached him for interview. Security personnel guarding the home minister were also present.

Sangma, who is also in-charge of power and district council affairs, however accused the waiting journalists of blocking his way.

The eight journalists had sought an appointment to meet the home minister on various issues especially with regards to power and district council affairs.

However, since they were told that the home minister was busy, they decided to wait for him outside his office chamber.

As soon as the home minister came out, journalists who were waiting outside, greeted him happy new year. One of the senior journalists also extended his wishes while trying to hold Sangma’s hands in a friendly way as he requested him for an interview.

At this time, the home minister suddenly pushed the senior journalist saying “What the hell are you doing? Why are you blocking my way like this” as he walked down the stairs.

Reacting to the home minister’s attitude, the senior journalist clarified that nobody was blocking his way and said, “Who the hell you think of yourself? Who are you?” The home minister came back and moved closely towards the senior journalist and asked “What is your problem”

The senior journalist again replied back that “I only want to ask you some questions, but I am not blocking your way. If I blocked you, you have your guards.”

This was not the first time that the home minster would avoid taking interviews due to reasons best known to him.