Journalists threaten to intensify agitation

Hyderabad: Reminding the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao of the promises he made before coming to power, the city-based journalists under the aegis of TUWJ (Telangana Union of Working Journalists) held a dharna in front of Hyderabad Collectorate and also submitted a memorandum to Collector K Manicka Raj on Monday.

The 'Chalo Hyderabad Collectorate,' which is the latest in the series of agitational programmes being organised by the union across the state, saw participation of journalists representing both print and electronic media.

Following the launch of agitational programmes on September 24, the journalists at 518 mandal headquarters held dharna and submitted memorandum to tehsildars. Later, during the second phase of dharna programme and upping the ante, the journalist union met RDOs and handed over memoranda. On Monday, according to the union leaders, all the 33 districts were covered under the latest agitational programme and Collectors were submitted memorandum.

Journalists are demanding access to basic facilities like health card as promised by KCR. Even though health cards were issued earlier, the scheme which should have provided some succor failed to accommodate the journalists, as no corporate hospital is willing to accept the cards. Demanding revocation of G O 239, the said that this order put in jeopardy the lives of journalists working for Urdu media, as basic provisions were snatched away after passing of order.

Even though the government claimed Urdu to be the 2nd official language, Urdu journalists are unable to avail provisions like accreditation cards. BJP spokesperson Krishna Sagar Rao condemned the suppression of the organisations, which are fighting for the resolution of their issues.

Telangana State would not have formed, had the previous governments showed same autocratic tendencies as KCR, he said. The union leaders said that they would wait and watch for another eight to ten days and hope Chief Minister would address the matter. Else, they would intensify the state-wide stir. Later, a delegation of journalists led by HUJ secretary Shivashankar Goud met District Collector Manik Raj and submitted a memorandum.

IJU secretary Y Narender Reddy, CCI member MA Majid, IJU executive committee members K Sathyanarayana, Vishnudas, Srikanth, journalist leaders Yadagiri, Rajesh, Riaz Ahmed, Habib Gilani, Ramulu, D Swamy, Ghouse, Sudhakar, Zunaid, Ibrahim, Chari, Gopinath, Mallesh, Sagar, Giribabu, Vinay, Srinivas, Sathyam, Telangana photo journalist association leaders Anil Kumar, Nakka Srinivas, Shiva Kumar and others were present on the occasion.