It also asked another newspaper editor to stick to the ethics of journalism and not meddle in ULFA-baiting. As if that was not enough, the ULFA also hit out at the state BJP for having reportedly accused the outfit of taking money in lieu of letting the state hold National Games, and warned it of dire consequences if it could not prove the allegation.

The latest issue of Swadhinata—the Assamese version of the ULFA’s monthly e-mouthpiece—which hit out at the newspaper editors for condemning it in connection with the NETV episode, reiterated that NETV prove the allegation that the outfit had taken money from the government to withdraw boycott of the Games. “We reiterate that NETV had clearly carried a news item accusing the ULFA of taking money from the government to withdraw boycott of the National Games,” the ULFA mouthpiece said. On the rejoinder issued by NETV managing director Manoranjana Singh saying that the channel had carried a news story based on newspaper reports, it asked how a channel could carry a news item without ascertaining the facts.

“It is definitely not within the ethics of journalism that one carry news from other sources without ascertaining the facts. NETV has sowed seeds of confusion through this news item. It is now NETV’s responsibility to prove the allegations. The ULFA has not withdrawn its earlier stand against NETV,” the e-mouthpiece of the outfit said.

ULFA came down heavily on Kanaksen Deka and D N Chakravarty, editors respectively of Dainik Agradoot and Dainik Asam for criticising ULFA on the NETV issue and asked them to quit journalism.

“We respect the two not for their journalistic capabilities, but at least for their age. Though we do not ask them to go on a pilgrimage, we expect them to give up running after money,” the outfit said.