Hakeem condemns assault on journalists in South Kashmir, seeks LG’s intervention for fair probe and punishment to guiltily

Srinagar/Dec,10: Chairman People’s Democratic Front (PDF) Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has strongly condemned the shameful incident of thrashing and manhandling of three journalists in Srigufwara area of south Kashmiri’s Anantnag district on Thursday when they were on thier professional duty to cover polling process of the ongoing DDC elections in the area.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Hakeem while strongly condemning the brutal action of security forces on three journalists in Srigufwaras area in District Anantnag, said it was most unfortunate that the government has miserably failed to check growing incidents of harassment and intimidation to journalists in kashmir. He said manhandling of three journalists including Fayaz Ahmad stringer of ETV Bharat, Mudasir Qadri of news 18 and Juanid Ahmad of TV-9 at Srigufwara ,Anantnag today was one more ugly incident about high handedness of belt forces and it’s lack of accountability. He said the incident of alleged beating of three journalists and seizure of all their news gathering equipment’s by government forces , while they were performing their professional duty to cover the polling process in Srigufwara area of Anantnag district was highly condemnable . He has demanded stern action against the cops involved in beating of the journalists . Pertinently, Fayaz Ahamd, one of journalists, has alleged that after taking a byte of a local ‘PAGD’ candidate, who complained that he was not allowed to cast his vote, the police personnel inpresence of SSP Ananthnag pounced on him along with other journalists , Mudasir Qadri of news 18 and Juanid Ahmad of TV-9 , and were ruthlessly beaten to pulp besides seizing all equipment’s and were also put under detention . He has alleged that “our colleagues Junaid has got injuries and hospitalized in Srigufwara hospital.
Hakeem urged Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to order a thorough and fair inquiry into the incident to punish the guilty so as to restore confidence among journalists fraternity on rule of law.
Hakeem also urged for providing a congenial atmosphere to ensure freedom of press and to enable media persons to discharge thier duty without fear or threat.