The journalists’ body demands release of arrested scribe
New Delhi, April 28, 2020:- The National Union of Journalists (India) expresses its serious concern over the rise in the incident of atrocities against journalists across the country while covering Covid-19 developments and lockdown regulations.
The NUJ (I) strongly condemns harassment and assault on journalists by police in the state Tamil Nadu NUJ (I) and demands the Union Government and Government of Tamil Nadu to ensure the safety of scribes who alongside the doctors and cops fighting the Covid-19 battle.
A detailed reported submitted by Mr Katha Kri Kandhswamy, Secretary South Zone, NUJ(I) lucidly narrates harassment of media persons by deliberate misapplication of Epidemic Act. Mr ASR Pandian, founder and publisher of news website “Simplicity” publishing from Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu was arrested and remanded to judicial custody under such blatant misapplication of the Act. Two other journalists of the same news portal were detained at a police station and subjected to long-hour questioning.
A reporter of Sathyam TV, Mr Bhaskar, sustained serious injuries in attack by police personnel at Krishnagiri of Tamil Nadu. His cameras were taken away by authorities. Another reporter of SUN TV, Mr Damodaran, was arrested at Minjur of Thiruvallur District of TN on April 8, 2020 while on duty. He was also remanded into judicial custody.
The NUJ (I) Tamil Nadu unit has appealed the Tamil Nadu Government for immediate release all journalists. Unless journalists are free to fearlessly pursue the truth, the entire edifice of democracy may collapse. NUJ(I) President-elect Ras Bihari and Secretary General-elect Prasanna Mohanty said that NUJ(I) is deeply worried over increasing harassment and atrocities on scribes Tamil Nadu. They also demanded the TN Government to ensure safety of reporters.
Office Secretary
National Union of Journalists (India)
