Three journalists covering DDC polls, detained, freed in Anantnag

Three journalists were on Thursday were allegedly slapped and detained for about 90 minutes in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, where they had gone to cover the District Development Council (DDC) elections.

Meanwhile, the Kashmir Press Club (KPC) strongly condemned the thrashing of three journalists Mudasir Qadri (stringer with News 18 Urdu) and Junaid Rafiq (TV 9) and Fayaz Lolu who is working as stringer with ETV Bharat.

Qadri said he, alongwith two journalists, had gone to cover DDC polls at a polling station in Srigugwara.

However, the voters who were waiting outside the polling station since 0700 hrs alleged that polling has not started at 0830 hrs when the actual time to begin balloting was 0700 hrs.

Qadri said when a police officer present in the area was asked the reason for delay, he said Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandeep Choudhary is coming.

However, SSP without any reason slapped us and later bundled us in a police vehicle and took detained in police station Serigufwara, Qadri alleged. He said other police and security force personnel were very cooperative. However, we were released after about 90 minutes but our equipment and phones were still in police station. He said one of the journalist had breathing problem and was taken to local hospital.

The KPC in a press release issued this afternoon condemned the police action against journalists who were doing their professional job.

It said in a distress call to the club Fayaz Lolu told the KPC management that he along with two other Journalists Qadri and Junaid Rafiq were "beaten" today while covering the ongoing DDC elections in Srigufwara area of South Kashmir.

He also said that their news gathering equipment 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 KPC 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.