SSP Anantnag thrashes Journalists, detains them illegally

Srinagar : Three journalist from South Kashmir were allegedly roughed up by SSP Anantnag Sandip Chowdary in Srigugwara area of South Kashmir. The journalist bodies and as well as mainstream political parties have condemned the alleged assault on journalist with a demand for fair probe and punishment to the guilty.
journalists alleged that without any rhyme or reason, SSP Anantnag thrashed them in full public glare and on his directions they were detained in police station. “One of the Journalists was hospitalized,” they said. The victim Journalists were Mudasir Qadri from News 18, Fayaz Lolu from ETv Bharat and Junaid Rafiq from TV 9.
“When PAGD candidate Nisar Ahmed Mir asked us that he along with his supporters are not being allowed to exercise their franchise and why we don’t highlight the issue. We tried to take the version of SSP Anantnag Sandip Chowdary. Meanwhile, SSP Anantnag arrived on the spot. He alighted from his vehicle and without listening anything started beating us. He slapped us much to our embarrassment and threatened to frame us in some case,” they said.
When contacted, SSP Anantnag didn’t say anything on phone and dropped the call. The action of SSP Sandip Chowdary was widely condemned. The media outlets with which these Journalists are affiliated demanded action against the SSP in question.
Group Editor News 18 Urdu, Rajesh Raina tweeted while tagging LG, DGP, Rohit Kansal and Director Information and Public Relations: “Sandeep Choudhary slapped the journalist when he was doing his professional duty and also threatened him that he will frame him in some case. Is this expected from a senior police official?” he questioned and informed that DGP Dilbagh Singh has assured that he will look into the matter and take appropriate action.
Various Journalists took to twitter and condemned the action of Sandeep Chowdary. “Shameful-Action must follow,” wrote most of the Journalists.
Kashmir Editors Guild (KEG) expressed its serious concern over the use of force against three freelance reporters, contributing to three TV channels, while covering the DDC polls in Anantnag.
Three TV freelancers Fayaz Lolu (ETV Bharat) Mudasir Qadri (News 18 Urdu) and Junaid Rafiq (TV 9) alleged that they were beaten in Srigufwara in presence of the SSP. They said their equipment was seized and they were taken to the local police post.
“The Guild is surprised over the reason that the cops resorted to force when everything around was normal. The three TV reporters revealed that they had recorded a political activist’s compliant about the polling and were told by a duty officer that the SSP was on way and wanted to give his version.
As the officer’s vehicle reached the spot, he avoided giving them a bite and instead started beating them. They said they were taken to the police station and their equipment was seized. During their stay in the station, one of them had a panic attack and was taken to hospital”, adding that “By now, the equipment has been returned to them and they have been sent home.”
The Kashmir Editors Guild (KEG) while condemning the assault said “KEG is concerned over the recurrence of these incidents in which reporters are being subjected to violence while discharging their professional duties. Apparently, there is no reason for Thursday’s incident to happen. Why should a reporter be beaten when the officer has the right to not respond to a question? KEG hopes the LG Manoj Joshi administration will look into the incident and ensure that this practice of abuse of authority is put to an end.”
Meanwhile, Kashmir Press Club condemned the assault on working Journalist in South Kashmir.A statement issued by KPC said “Kashmir Press Club strongly condemns the thrashing of three freelance journalists who work as stringers for various news organizations, by the police in South Kashmir. The incident happened when these individuals were covering the ongoing DDC elections in the area this morning.”
“In a distress call to the club Fayaz Lolu who works as a stringer with ETV Bharat stringer told the Kashmir Press Club management that he along with two other Journalists Mudasir Qadri (stringer with News 18 Urdu) and Junaid Rafiq (TV 9) were “beaten” Thursday while covering the ongoing DDC elections in Srigufwara area of South Kashmir.”
“He also said that their news gathering equipments were also seized by the police. Fayaz Lolu alleged that it was when the SSP of Anantnag arrived on the spot that they were beaten up ruthlessly and taken to the nearest police post. Fayaz further stated that Junaid has been injured and was in hospital.”
“The Kashmir Press Club terms this incident unfortunate and calls for a thorough inquiry into the incident. We hope strict action against is taken against those found guilty in this act perpetrated in utter disregard of the freedom of the press. The KPC further urges the Chief Electoral Officer to take note of such incidents and initiate action against the concerned police official.” The KPC further urges that the authorities should ensure that an enabling atmosphere is created for the free and fair functioning of the media in Kashmir.
Top mainstream parties National Conference, CPI (M) and Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) in their separate statements condemned the assault with a demand for fair probe and punishment to the guilty. National Conference (NC)while condemning the alleged thrashing of three journalists covering DDC polls by Police demanded strict action against those found guilty. In it’s condemnation statement a party spokesman Imran Nabi Dar said “ the incident is yet another glaring example showcasing sheer disregard and revulsion of certain elements against journalistic fraternity, who, notwithstanding all sorts of hitches, are executing their job in a commendable manner in Jammu and Kashmir” “Attacking journalists and disallowing them from executing their duty has become a norm now in this part of the world, I express my sympathies and unison with the Journalists Mudasir Qadri of News 18, Junaid Rafiq of TV9 and Fayaz Lolu stringer of ETV Bharat, and pray for their wellbeing,” he said.“Incidents like these should not go unaccounted for. Government is duty bound to ensure an enabling environment for the free and fair functioning of the press. I, on behalf of my party condemn the incident unequivocally and hope that strict action is taken against the erring cops behind the act. The State election commissioner should also take notice of such an appalling incident that has raised a question mark on the impartiality of the ongoing elections,” he said. Imran prayed for the quick recovery of the injured and urged the administration to provide best of medical aid to them.
Chairman People’s Democratic Front (PDF) Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen while strongly condemning the shameful incident of thrashing and manhandling of three journalists in Srigufwara area of south Kashmiri’s Anantnag district on Thursday said journalist have been stopped for carrying out their professional duty to cover polling process of the ongoing DDC elections in the area, adding that “ the brutal action of security forces on three journalists in Srigufwaras area in District Anantnag is most unfortunate”. He alleged 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 Thursday 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.
Former Kulgam legislator and CPI (M) senior leader, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami while condemning the thrashing of three freelance journalists who were covering District Development Council (DDC) elections in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district said it is unfortunate that the media persons are being thrashed in the Valley while performing their professional duties.
“Such incidents must be put to an end and the authorities should ensure free atmosphere for the journalists while performing their duties,” he said