Cong, JD(S), scribes stage stir

The Congress and JD(S) leaders flayed the arrest of scribe Naveen Soorinje while DYFI staged a stir and scribes flayed lack of transparency by the police, as promised by the police earlier.

Addressing media persons, former Union minister Janardhana Poojary strongly condemned the arrest of television journalist over ‘Morning Mist’ homestay attack, held on July 28 in Padil.

Claiming that Soorinje was a strong witness for the incident, Poojary alleged that the State BJP government is trying to finish off the case by arresting him.

Stating that Additional DGP Bipin Gopalakrishna came to the City after the incident with a clear intention to close the case, Poojary said that the State government has no faith in free press. “The BJP government always tried to curb the voice of press.

Even the High Court Judge Vikramjith Singh himself expressed concern over homestay incident. Still Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter is not reacting. Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka’s promise of justice is also proved false,” he said.

Congress leaders Vijaykumar Shetty, Kandige Tharanath Shetty and Arun Coelho were present.

Attack on press: JD(S)

Arrest of TV Reporter Naveen Soorinje is an attack on the fourth pillar of democracy, said JD(S) District Unit President M B Sadashiv.

Speaking to media persons, he said that Naveen was only doing his duty. His arrest intends to curb the voice and freedom of the press. Fascist power is involved behind this arrest.

The BJP power has only brought in confusion in administration and destroyed all ethical values, he alleged.

He asked the general public to react and demanded the police involved in the issue to provide answers.

“There is no such act that states that a press person should be an informer of the police,” said JD(S) Leader M G Hegde.

Naveen has been socially responsible and has tried to inform the police. The call records of Rural Police SI needs to be checked. The police officials need to be questioned, he said. BJP government is increasing its atrocities. Arrest of a media person is a shameful act. “We shall take out a massive protest,” he warned.

File spl writ: DYFI

The forum of like-minded people staged protest against the arrest of television scribe Naveen Soorinje in connection to the ‘Morning Mist’ home-stay attack, in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday.

Addressing the protesters, Democratic Youth Federation of India district President Muneer Katipalla demanded the government to file a special writ petition in the High Court, seeking the release of Soorinje.

“The scribe was targeted by the police for the kind of stories he had made against the officials, educational, political and builder mafia in the district. Several lobbyists and powerful people who have suffered due to his anti-stories are behind the arrest of Soorinje, which is nothing but a revenge taken against him,” he said.

Rationalist Narendra Nayak, JD(S) leader M G Hegde and others were present.

Scribes flay

While Congress, JD(S) and DYFI flayed the arrest of scribe, the journalists in Mangalore flayed the attitude of police for not maintaining the promise made to scribes in maintaining the transparency in the whole issue. “The police had assured to form a committee comprising police officers and scribes, but they did not,” said the memorandum.

In Udupi

Udupi District Working Journalist Association staged a protest before Clock Tower against the arrest of reporter Naveen Soorinje by Kankanadi rural police in connection with recent home stay attack.