Urges LG to pass direction for exemption to journos amid lockdown

Srinagar: A photojournalist Saqib Majeed was roughed up by police at a boulevard area along Dal Lake on Monday drawing condemnation from Kashmir Press Club (KPC).
Saqib, according to KPC in a statement, said that he was roughed up by cops while doing his job along Dal Lake at around 4pm. “When I reached near Makai Park, a police patrolling party was enforcing a lockdown and asking people to stay home. I was getting down from my car when a policeman headed towards me and asked why I was there,” he said.
He said that he revealed his identity and produced an identity card but the policeman asked “don’t you know about the new order?”
In the meantime, according to Saqib, another policeman tried to snatch his camera but he resisted, the KPC statement said.
“They pounced on me and started beating me with punches, kicks and sticks. I was dragged across the road and they forcefully tried to arrest and was let go after sometime,” he told the Club soon after the incident.
The Club while expressing strong protest against this behaviour said that the attack comes when journalists are risking their lives amid the pandemic to keep the public informed. “Kashmir Inspector General of Police had assured by making a public statement that journalists/media workers are allowed to work amid the ongoing lockdown. We demand action against the cops accused of violence against the journalist,” said the club management.
The KPC urged the LG and Director General of Police to look into these regular attacks on the press fraternity in Kashmir.
While urging the fraternity members to observe proper Covid protocols while on professional duties, the Club has urged the LG Administration to issue directions for exempting the media persons from restrictions and treat them as frontline workers.

KR Desk