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| On Agri minister's orders, cops make news of newsman; beat him to pulp | | Journalists up in arms in Kashmir, seek Mufti's intervention | | Abdul Majid
ET Report
SRINAGAR, June 22: Personal security guards of Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone alias Hanjura today beat to a pulp senior journalist Javaid Malik after he resisted the "roadside hooliganism of the minister's escort".
Malik along with his wife was driving down Bagh-e-Mehtab road in the outskirts of Srinagar. Lone's escort overtook him. While doing so, the escort cops passed lewd comments to his wife. This infuriated Malik who started to chase the motorcade. Somewhere ahead the motorcade took a halt. Malik who was following them, said he instantly alighted out of his car and walked towards the vehicle in which Lone was seated.
Witnesses said Malik was intercepted by the escort. The Minister on the other hand pulled down the windscreen to listen to the conversation, the witnesses said.
"I introduced myself as a journalist and wanted to ask the Minister how can women folk can be harassed by cops," Malik said.
As per the witnesses, the Minister pulled up his windscreen with a "nod to his bully escort". In no time, the cops pounced on Malik while some others allegedly tried to outrage modesty of his wife by tearing apart her clothes, said the witnesses, adding that some bystanders rescued her.
Malik was bundled in a Gypsy and whisked away by the escort. He was detained at Chanapora police post. The Minister, as per police, introduced Malik to them as a "drunken criminal."
As Malik was taken to lock-up, he called his colleagues. Senior journalists from print and electronic media rushed to the thana. Superintendent of Police South City, Shridhar Patil also rushed in. The SP tried to pacify the journalists who demanded strict action against the Agriculture Minister. As Malik came out of the thana, media persons with cameras were waiting for his statement.
"Being resourceful I managed to highlight what happened to me and my wife. But what about the common man who are victims of such sexual and other abuse everyday at the hands of power-drunken VIPs? Who listens to their plight?" Malik told media persons.
Despite repeated attempts the Agriculture Minister could not be contacted for comments as his phone was 'switched off'. But his personal staff said there was a "misunderstanding" between the two parties and they "initially mistook Malik as some criminal or militant who could have attacked us."
The SP however said the matter was being investigated. "We are getting complaints from both the sides, the matter is being investigated," the SP said.
Meanwhile the journalist fraternity of Kashmir has appealed Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed to personally look into the matter and initiate strict action against his minister accused of the "misconduct and misuse of his position."
Various mainstream and separatist parties including National Conference, Congress and Hurriyat and have condemned the incident. |
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