Physical assault of HT photo journalist by policeman angers journalistic fraternity of Delhi

Does the constitution or democracy gives the right to any officer in uniform to be indispensable or erroneously powerful enough to do whatever he deems fit. No, the law of the land is equal for everybody. Even if one is responsible for maintaining the law and order it certainly does not mean that he or she has become so powerful that he can go to the extent of snatching or breaking the camera of any photo journalist and even assault her physically.

But sorry to say: this shameful incident has happened with a photo journalist of Delhi’s prestigious newspaper
Hindustan Times namely Anushree. Anushree was doing her duty as usual and trying to click a picture of a policemen thrashing a men on the ground. Suddenly her camera was forcibly snatched from her and was assaulted by the policemen to her utter surprise, shock, dismay and despair. She protested but of no awail.

Instead her body was forcibly touched in order to snatch the camera from her to get rid of the picture of the policeman beating an innocent man on the ground. This is how the representatives of the fourth estate especially a woman journalist is shabily treated by man in uniform, supposed to be the custodian of law.

The media fraternity in Delhi especially the photo journalists have registered their strongest protest outside the Delhi police commisioner’s office at ITO on Saturday, the 24th March and vowed to continue the protest on Monday too. They are demanding immediate suspension of the concerned policemen and taking of legal again against him for assaulting the woman journalist and arbitrarily forcibly snatching her camera while performing her official duty.

The photographers had put their cameras in front of the gate of the police commisioner as a symbolic mark of protest and raised anti Delhi police slogans for two hours incessantly. Sources reveal that the senior officers have tendered apology and have assured of the necessary action against the guilty police official responsible of this obnoxious act but its still not fully confirmed.

Meanwhile in a message circulated to all the journalistic fraternity of Delhi, the general secretary of Indian Women Press Corps Shobhna Jain has announced that the protest by journalists today that was held outside the police hq will resume on Monday, March 26, 1 pm. The assembly point would be Press Club of india.

The main demand is : registration of FIRs against the SHO accused of molestation, his suspension pending inquiry and the assault on journalists is still pending. Thirdly the equipment of the cameraperson has also not been returned. All in all, the idea is to assemble again in solidarity with our colleagues and to press for the main demand.
SUNIL NEGI