IJU demands action against J&K police

Jubilee Hills: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has urged J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik to order a thorough inquiry into barring entry of six journalists into Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar by the security wing of the police, to cover Republic Day function. They were prevented from entering the stadium even though they carried passes issued by the Information & Public Relations department. The IJU said it was a clear violation of the journalists’ rights and amounted to pre-censorship of news, which violated the fundamental right of freedom of press and freedom of expression.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, IJU president Amar Devulaplli and secretary-general Sabina Inderjit condemned the police action and termed it as not only an humiliating experience for the reputed journalists with their cards ‘cancelled” at the entry gate but added insult to injury with the police citing the reason for its action taken on grounds of “adverse report against them from the CID.” 

The IJU demanded that these so-called ‘adverse reports’ be made public so that these journalists, who belong to reputed local and foreign news organisations can contest the charges against them, if any.The IJU rejected the explanation of the Governor’s office and the Director General of Police (DGP) that there was a communication gap and lack of coordination between various agencies as not acceptable.

It demanded action against officers who took the arbitrary and illegal action to intimidate journalists from carrying out their duties. The IJU expressed solidarity with the journalists in Kashmir who strongly protested against the police action and boycotted coverage of the function. The Union urged upon the Press Council of India (PCI) to take suo motu cognizance of the case and take stringent action expeditiously.