Demanding stern action against Tehsildar Kunzer, who manhandled and misbehaved with a photojournalist in Tangmarg on Friday, Baramulla Working Journalist Association strongly condemned alleged assault on photo Journalist Sajad Hameed- Kashmir Times while he was performing his professional duty.
In a statement issued to The Kashmiriyat, Baramulla Working Journalist Association termed the harassment and manhandling of the photojournalist by an officer of Tehsildar rank as unwarranted and threatening journalists of blacklisting depict an attitude of “arrogance of power”.
“We have seen the worst and won’t cow down by the threats from any quarter of power. Journalists in Kashmir are working in conflict zone. Ironically, now government officials misbehave and manhandle journalist, which won’t be tolerated,” said spokesman BWJA.
“Unless action is taken against the guilty officer who abused and manhandled the journalist, BWJA and Tangmarg Journalist Association have decided to boycott all government functions and events,” the statement further said.
“We want Lt. Governor, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Deputy Commissioner Baramulla for intervention and initiate investigation into the matter. Stern action should be taken against the erring officer so that freedom of press is upheld,” the statement further said.
According to Tangmarg Journalist Association, Sajad Hameed, who works as a photo Journalist was manhandled and abused by Tehsildar multiple times and he asked him to close his camera, when he was performing his professional duty and was covering a protest by locals against Public Health Engineering (PHE) department over the scarcity of water in the area.
Hameed alleged that despite introducing himself as a journalist, he was verbally abused, insulted, and pushed.
Tangmarg Working Journalist Association has sought action against Tehsildar who assaulted him without any reason.
Meanwhile, North Kashmir Journalist Association have also condemned the manhandling of journalist in Tangmarg and demanded immediate action against the official.