NUJI Hails DGP's Swift Action Against Police officer For Thrashing Of Journalists BY J&k Police

Srinagar: A police officer who led a team of uniformed men to lathi-charge Journalists, who were discharging professional duties, here has been removed from his position. DGP Dilbag Singh said that he took a serious view of undesirable behaviour by the police officer with some media men in Srinagar. Also, several other cops have been transferred or attached, official sources said.

National Union Of Journalists India President, Ras Bihari hailed DGP, Dilbag Singh's swift action against the police officer responsible for thrashing Journalists covering a religious procession in Srinagar. He also said, “Centre and State Governments should take steps for protection of Journalists. ”

The DGP had ordered SSP Srinagar to take immediate action against the police officer for "undesirable behavior." The police officer has been removed from his position. Meanwhile, official sources said that three cops have been attached to DPL and six others have been transferred. Police had resorted to lathi-charge against journalists covering protest attempts by Shia mourners on 8th Muharram at Lal Chowk. The camera of a photojournalist was also damaged.

In a Press Statement, NUJI President, Ras Bihari after receiving reports from the Jammu Kashmir Journalists Union (JKJU),  a UT Unit of NUJI,  had expressed concern about the thrashing of Journalists in Srinagar and had taken up the issue with concerned officials.

"When I received information about this unfortunate incident, I had directed our UT Unit Jammu and Kashmir Journalists Union President & National to closely monitor the situation and file the report," said Ras Bihari.

In a tweet,  after the reports of the assault emerged,  Dilbagh Sigh, DGP, J&K Police assured action, "a serious view of undesirable behavior with some media men in Srinagar” and directed immediate action against the officer."

Ras Bihari expressed gratitude towards DGP and hailed his timely action against officers who assaulted a group of Journalists and damaged their cameras. "Government should take steps for the protection of Journalists," added Ras Bihari.