Shillong, 11 September
12 journalists of The Shillong Times have expressed their complete support to the three journalists- EM Jose (News Editor), Nabamita Mitra (Features Editor) and Dipankar Roy (Executive Editor)- who were sacked by the management citing “COVID-19 generated reasons” on September 1.
The three journalists were sacked on September 1 when they were in quarantine, but the termination letters were served only on September 7 without nprior intimation.
“We condemn the management’s decision, which we feel is unethical and unjust, and as colleagues, we strongly object to such unwarranted ill-treatment meted out to the three senior members of the staff who have all along put in their best efforts in the interest of the newspaper,” the 12 Journalists said in a press statement.
The 22 Journalists went on strike since September 9 and expressed complete solidarity with ther three sacked senior collugues. They also vowed not to work until the matter is settled.
“We would also like to clarify that none of the agitating staff, who are protesting against the illegal termination of services of the three senior journalists, have RESIGNED as is being spread in some quarters with seemingly malicious motive,” they press release said.
“On the other hand, though, we have reasons to believe that the management is trying to hire staff at a time when the company is said to be in the dire financial state because of COVID-19 related reasons which have forced it to resort to hefty pay cuts for the past four months,” …“We want to make it very clear that the protest is against the termination of services of our three extremely dedicated and sincere colleagues and we have no intention to harm the reputation of the organisation which is in its 75th year,” the Journalists added.
The statement said that they were compelled to release this statement since they had not heard from the management even after three days of submitting the letter. They said that they will continue with their protest till the demand. They also have said that resignation is not on their mind.
