* Bar Association disapproves conduct of Basant Rath
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 31: The working journalists, camerapersons and management committee of the Press Club of Jammu today submitted memorandum to the Governor Satya Pal Malik seeking action against the IG Traffic, Basant Rath for allegedly slapping a photo journalist and snatching his mobile phone for unknown reasons.
The working journalist in a meeting here unanimously decided to submit a copy of memorandum to the Governor seeking action against the officer. They said that a police complaint was also lodged in Police Station, Gandhi Nagar on the same day for registration of FIR in the case but till date no FIR has been registered against the ‘erring’ officer. The incident has created a wedge between the State Administration and media persons in Jammu and it is not a healthy sign.
The press fraternity of Jammu appealed to the Governor to seek detailed report from the concerned authorities and take appropriate action as per rule of law to restore faith in the State Administration.
Taking serious note of the news published in various local and National newspapers, besides its circulation in the social media pertaining to an incident wherein a high ranking Traffic Police officer, Basant Rath, is said to have assaulted a member belonging to Media fraternity, Rakesh Kumar of Channel-I in full public view on road, “The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu strongly disapproves such conduct of the Police officer and sympathizes with the Media fraternity & solidly stands with them in their fight against such an onslaught by an officer in an irresponsible manner. The Association is of the firm opinion that the members of this fraternity are discharging a vital responsibility in keeping the people informed regularly against many odds, which is fundamental to the growth and survival of the democracy, as such, the police officials particularly the ranking officials are expected to show regard and respect not only the media persons, who by dint of their hard work and devotion towards their professional obligations have gained the status of fourth pillar in democracy but the civil society as well.
The Association strongly urged the Governor to personally intervene in the matter and sort it out at the earliest in order to avoid the otherwise, peaceful situation to take an ugly turn.
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