KhUJ holds protest demonstration against police highhandedness
PESHAWAR- Condemning the illegal police raid on a print media outlet in Peshawar and torture on journalists, the Khyber Union of Journalists (KHuJ) held a gathering at Peshawar Press Club on Monday followed by a protest demonstration.
Hundreds of journalists and staff members both of the print and electronic media headed by President KhUJ Arshad Aziz Malik along with the representatives of Media Marketing Association, Railways Union and Hawkers of Newspapers participated in the meeting to denounce the police brutal act of violence. Several renowned journalists addressed the meeting.
The meeting unanimously passed a resolution to condemn attack on the offices of a media group. They demanded impartial investigation into the incident and punishment for those involved in it. The resolution also demanded of the government to take steps to avoid such incidents in future. After the meeting, a token protest was staged in the press club premises. The participants chanted slogans against police brutality against media persons and in favour of media. Earlier, Syed Fayaz Ali Shah in his address praised the unity among the journalist community and thanked the KhUJ and those who participated in the protest meeting.
He disclosed that talks were underway for life insurance of the workers of the media group and his organisation was providing possible support to its workers for medical and other necessities. He lamented that police and other personnel of law enforcement agencies were provided with relief packages after their death in terror incidents but civilians who were bearing the brunt of the terrorism were not being provided with any compensation. He demanded of the government to provide relief to the civilian killed in the terrorism related incidents.
President KhUJ in his address strongly condemned the incident and termed it an attack on the freedom of press. He asked the journalist fraternity to continue their unity against oppressive forces.
Yousuf Ali, SGKHuJ, said that on one side police high ups were seeking the support of media in war against terror while on the other side it was targeting media related people and organizations.
Senior journalist and former PPC president expressed his grave concern over police raid on office of leading regional newspaper and demanded of the government to make amendment in the Police Act 2001 to curb which gives sweeping powers to police.
President PPC in his speech said that media always presented the duty of police as their performance but in return the law enforcement agencies had taken media for granted. He said “our power is no less than any bar council or any other organization in the county”.
Source: The Nation
Date:8/9/2011
” 
” 
” 
” 
