Iqbal Amin
Baramulla, Feb 01 (KNS): Press ‘Fourth pillar of democracy’ has been made target by some selfish people, be it a traffic police personnel’s or Municipal Council employees, Excelsior Photojournalist and member of BWJA was today beaten to pulp by some traffic police personnel in Chahla Boniyar of Baramulla district for none of his fault.
We were coming from Uri to Baramulla, we were stopped by a group of 3-4 traffic police personnel’s who had laid a nakka at Chahlla Boniyar, said Abid Nabi Excelsior Photojournalist.
He said that, we stopped our vehicle for security check-up. The traffic police personnel’s asked for documents and we showed them as we were having all the relevant documents, like RC, License, pollution documents and all.
The traffic police said to my cousin that why you have not installed a hi-security number plate (digital) on your vehicle. For which we said that it is an old model vehicle and we gave them Rs 50/ as fine, but they argued and said that give us Rs 200/ only then we will allow you to leave, said Abid.
Abid said that we told the traffic police personnel’s that despite having all documents you should allow us to leave, this infuriated them and they dragged me out of vehicle, abused and beaten me ruthlessly. Even though I didn’t reveal them that I am journalists or so.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Meanwhile Baramulla Working Journalists Association (BWJA) has taken a strong note of assault on their member and photojournalist working with daily Excelsior Abid Nabi.
Chairman BWJA, Karamat Qayoom said that, from past few days, it is witnessed that members of BWJA are beaten by different departments for none of their fault.
The concerned authorities should take stern action against their employees be it a traffic police personnel or MC employees. Otherwise we will hit the roads and lodge a strong protest against them, said chairman.
However BWJA President, Gulazar Zargar said that, it is astonished that media persons are being scared for one or the other reason. Our member has not revealed them that he is a journalist, but the irony is that, what will be the tale with common masses when a journalist is beaten in a broad daylight.
We have moved an application in Police Station Boniyar for registering an FIR against the traffic police personnel and we appeal the higher ups to take cognizance of the matter, otherwise we will lodge a strong protest against them, said president.
Pertinently, this is the second incident of assault on journalists, few days back Mohammad Younis reporter of Gulistan TV from Sopore was also beaten by employees of MC Sopore, when he was exposing their scams and scandals. (KNS)