Baramulla, April 11 (KNS): Baramulla Working Journalist Association,(BWJA)a leading body of journalists, on Saturday strongly condemned “attack and unnecessary harassment” of a senior Journalist and executive member (BWJA) Iqbal Amin(KNS)by a tyrant Tehsildar while he was doing his professional duties.

A statement issued to KNS reads, It is pertinent to mention that “As the news of posiitive Covid-19 cases spread in the area a senior Journalist was doing his professional duties suddenly Arrogant Tehsildar of Watergam Rafiabad Kifayat Ali appeared on the spot and started harrasing and heckling him and in addition to this he also used unparliamentary language, manhandled the Journalist and snatched his phone for some unknown reasons told senior journalist.

Harassment and manhandling is not only obstructing the free flow of information, but it’s also bringing many elements of a modern society to a grinding halt he added.

Journalist fraternity of Baramulla marked their anguish and called on the authorities to take immediate steps to punish those responsible for harassment and manhandling and to end the climate of administrative mistrust and hostility towards the media.

The BWJA said harassment and manhandling  of a senior  journalist in his line of duty in Watergam Rafiabad by Tehsildar Watergam Kifayat Ali is an assault on media freedom.

It urged authorities concerned to ensure full security to the media Persons in the discharge of their duties as the Fourth Estate.

The statement, issued by BWJA Chairman Haji Karamat Qayoom said it has taken a serious note of harassment and manhandling  of a senior Journalist  in Rafiabad and is anguished over such incidents and demands speedy investigation to deter perpetrators of such crimes, the statement said.

The BWJA  appealed to all sections to realise the need of a free and fair press and the importance of media during incidents of national importance

Meanwhile Kashmir News Service have strongly condemned the harrassment of its Senior correspondent(KNS)