In the previous few days, for the primary time, the information programmes in half of the common languages on All India Radio Imphal have been lacking.
For seven days every week, programmes — round half-hour lengthy every — are usually held in Manipuri and 7 dialects: Thadou, Tangkhul, Mao, Kabui, Hmar, Paite, Poumai. In these programmes, between 5-10 minutes on a regular basis are devoted to a information telecast in every of those languages and dialects.
But since violent clashes broke out within the state on May 3, information programmes in 4 of those dialects — Thadou, Hmar, Paite, Poumai — have been lacking.
The cause for this: the presenters of those programmes moved to aid camps. While Thadou, Hmar and Paite are among the many dialects spoken by Kuki communities, Poumai is a Naga dialect.
“The Poumai news programme was introduced just last year, but the others have been around for several decades. This is the first time that these programmes have had to be stopped out of necessity. We are just doing the music programmes in the segments for these dialects. We will resume the news programmes once the situation normalises and people are able to come back,” mentioned an AIR official.
According to officers, the Hmar, Paite and Poumai information programmes have been final aired on May 3, the Thadou programme was final aired on May 4.
“Our Thadou presenter came on May 4 but we felt that the situation was too volatile and too unsafe, so we helped him to move to a relief camp in the city,” mentioned an official.