I got the following mail yesterday. Is it justifiable for the GMCH authority to behave with media person in that way. Is the Guwahati Press Club doing something about it. We must condemn such authoritarian move of a public body and should ask for an enquiry.
It is really very shamefull that public body like GMCH is acting in an undemocratic manner in a democratic society like India. Bidyot Bikash Borah HT Media Ltd. Delhi Dear Friends Is anybody aware of the letter mention below. Dear Friends Afrida Hussain of Northeast Television (NeTV) was mercilessly beaten up by the private security deployed by the Guwahati Medical College Hospital (GMC) authority in the morning hours of March31st. Afrida was covering a story of agitating wives of missing ULFA militants in the Bhutan operation by the army. The wives of missing Ultras resorted to fast until death in front of Assam legislative Assembly to protest against the inaction of the state government to trace out the missing militants. The Police forcibly took them to the GMC hospital. Condition of some of them was reportedly critical. The hospital authority did not allow even the media persons to enter the hospital and to cover the story. When Afrida argued that the people have the right to know what happened to the fasting women then she was manhandled by the male security persons. When she resisted all the security men dragged her kicked her and beaten mercilessly. She was immediately taken to the hospital where doctor found multiple injuries. She is now under treatment in the International Hospital, Guwahati. It is unfortunate that the security persons attacked a frail lady reporter even after Chief Minister's assurance to a visiting team of Press Council of India in the state that the government would provide security of the media persons and ensure freedom of media in the state. It is to be recalled that the Assessment committee formed by Press Council of India by taking suo motu cognizance of threat of ULFA militants to the media of the state observed that the media in Assam was under serious threat. The Chief Minister of Assam assured the team of PCI he would look into the matter and ensure safety and security of the media persons. Indian Journalists Union condemns such heinous attacks on a lady reporter and demands immediate actions against the marauding security men. IJU also urges the government to allow media to cover everything except that which do not cover by the right to information act. IJU also demands that the state government of Assam create a atmosphere where media can work freely without any fear. Geetartha Pathak NEC member, IJU
