Journalist manhandled, drug traffickers booked | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Journalist manhandled, drug traffickers booked

MIRPUR- The timely intervention of the people foiled the alleged bid of abduction of a journalist in adjoining town Mangla by a couple of alleged drug traffickers late Wednesday. Mangla police booked two accused on the charges of manhandling and abortive attempt of abduction and started investigations.

According to details available, two alleged accused identified as Raja Raees Gul and Raja Zahid stormed upon the journalist Sardar Javaid Iqbal, Mangla-based correspondent of daily Khabrain at about 5.30 pm Wednesday at the Main Market Mangla while he was busy in his professional duties.

The allegedly drunkard accused resorted to severe beating the journalist after being furious over the publication of the stories about their alleged objectionable activities of drug trafficking in the town, in his newspaper. .

The allegedly armed accused left the journalist senseless besides trying to lift him into their car but the masses gathered at the scene foiled their bid.

The accused later made their escape good from the scene waving arms and abusing the media persons. The injured journalist Javaid Iqbal was later rushed to the District Headquarter Hospital in critical condition where he is being provided with the medicare.

Mangla police registered a case against both the absconding accused, stated to be real brothers for manhandling the journalist. Further investigations are in progress.

A delegation of local senior journalists led by Muhammad Amin Butt, Additional Secretary-General AJK Union of Journalists, met the Mirpur Superintendent Police and demanded immediate arrest of the accused of the incident and severe punishment to them under the law.

They apprised the district police chief of the grave concern over the high-handedness of the alleged drug traffickers against the newsmen. The Superintendent Police (SP) assured the delegation of early arrest of the absconding accused.

An emergent meeting of the members of Kashmir Press Club strongly protested over the severe manhandling of one of their colleagues by the alleged drug paddlers in Mangla. Condemning the incident, the meeting called for early arrest of the accused.
Source: The Nation
Date:2/8/2002