[Assam] What do you expect from barbarians protected by barbaric AFSPA(1958), Scribes? Work towards getting rid of this Act fast to protect yourselves.

[Bartta Bistar]

Assam journalists to boycott government functions
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/india/news/article_1288942.php/Assam_journalists_to_boycott_government_functions



Apr 9, 2007, 14:15 GMT

Guwahati, April 9 (IANS) Journalists in Assam Monday decided to boycott all
state programmes until the government tenders a public apology and takes
stern action for police highhandedness on scribes during Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh's visit.

Journalists staged a walkout Sunday in the venue of the prime minister's
function after being verbally abused by the Guwahati City Senior
Superintendent of Police (SSP) S.N. Singh.

The police official refused to let in scribes despite their having formal
security passes.

The Journalist Action Committee (JAC) in an emergency meeting here condemned
the unsavoury incident and issued a 72-hour ultimatum seeking a public
apology from the government. The ultimatum came into force from 3 p.m.
Monday.

'No local newspapers, including outstation journalists of both print and
television, would report any government related stories or cover government
functions during the period. All Assam based newspapers on Tuesday would
leave a blank black space in their front page as a token of protest,' a JAC
resolution said.

Over 100 journalists and editors of leading dailies attended the meeting and
decided to wear black badges Tuesday to protest the incident.

'The meeting also sought exemplary action taken against the Guwahati SSP for
his behaviour that forced journalists to boycott the prime minister's
function,' said Manjit Mahanta, executive editor of Asomiya Pratidin, a mass
circulation Assamese daily.

The story of the prime minister laying a Rs.2.38 billion three-lane bridge
over river Brahmaputra near Guwahati Sunday was blanked out by all
newspapers and local TV channels in Assam.

'News presenters on private TV channels operating out of Assam would wear
black badges Tuesday as a mark of protest,' the JAC said.
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