Mediaperson bodies condemn journalists arrest by Delhi police, assert Freedom of Press
Demands that no journalists should be disturbed while carrying out their duties
Chandigarh, January 31, 2021: Following the arrest of two journalists Mandeep Punia and Dharmendra Singh from the Singhu border on Saturday night, various press associations have condemned the attack on journalists by Delhi police.
In a joint statement issued by the Indian Women Press Corps, the Press Club of India and the Press Association has criticized the Delhi police for its brutal action against journalists.
“While Dharmendra Singh was later released, Mandeep remains in police custody. Mandeep Punia is a freelance journalist who contributes to the Caravan and Junputh. The Delhi police used brutal force while picking up Mandeep and did not share his whereabouts to the other media colleagues’ entire night,” the joint press statement read.
The associations said that the FIR against Mandeep was only issued this morning.
“Four IPC sections 186, 353, 332, 34 have been pressed against him. Mandeep has been reporting on the present farmers’ agitation right from the beginning and his arrest is the part of the government crackdown to prevent them from doing their job independently and freely," associations stated.
The associations have demanded the immediate release of Mandeep and have also asked that no journalists should be disturbed while carrying out their duties at any place.
“Such crackdowns impinge on the media rights to report and interfere with their right to freedom of expression and freedom of press as guaranteed by the Constitution of India,” they further added.