'Scribe falsely charged'
The charges put on TV reporter Naveen Soorinje are very serious. Naveen has been falsely charged with dacoity, which is punishable with life time imprisonment sentence.
The person who brought out the truth is being punished. Where is democracy? questioned CPM General Secretary B Madhava.
Speaking at a protest organised by Karavali Souhardha Sangarsha Samiti in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office on Tuesday, Madhava pointed out that if the fascist rule continues, people will lose their democracy and fundamental rights. The BJP government has tried to curb the voice of the press, he said.
He regretted that the police are arresting innocent people on false charges, whereas the real criminals are roaming free. Soorinje is the key witness in the case. By arresting him, the government is trying to protect the real miscreants, he said and added that cops who have falsely charged Soorinje need to be questioned and punished.
Karavali Souhardha Sangarsha Samiti President and MLA Ramanath Rai said that Soorinje deserves to be felicitated for bravely reporting the homestay attack and getting the truth out in public. The Samiti condemns his arrest, he said.
Rai also said that heads of animals are being thrown in worship places. This is leading to communal disharmony. The police should act fast and arrest miscreants who are involved in these incidents.
JD(S) Leader M G Hegde said that there is no rule that journalists have to be the informers of the police.
Soorinje was only doing his duty, he said and questioned what steps the police have taken to permanently curb moral policing.
“The total mindset of BJP government has collapsed. The government is worried as it is losing money as well as power,” he added.
Mayor Gulzar Banu, MLA U T Khader, Litterateur Sarah Aboobakker, Social Activist Rita Noronha, Congress Leader J R Lobo and others took part in the protest.
Decision on bail on Nov 16
The decision on bail application moved by the arrested Journalist Naveen Soorinje has been posted to November 16.
He was arrested on November 7, in connection with the homestay attack at Padil, on July 28.
The court had heard the argument in favour and against Naveen and posted the verdict on Friday.
