Srinagar: Kashmir Press Club has condemned the “beating” of a journalist Saqib Majeed in Srinagar on Monday.

According to the KPC spokesperson, Saqib has alleged that he was roughed up by cops while doing his job along Dal Lake at around 4 pm. “When I reached near Makai Park, a police patrolling party was enforcing lockdown and asking people to stay home. I was getting down from my car when a policeman headed towards me and asked the reason for being there,” the spokesperson quoted Saqib as saying,

He said that he revealed his identity but the policeman asked “don’t you know about the new order?” In the meantime, according to Saqib, another policeman tried to snatch his camera but he resisted.

“They pounced on me and started beating me with punchs, kicks and sticks. I was dragged across the road and they forcefully tried to arrest and was let go after sometime,” he told the Club soon after the incident.

The Club while expressing strong protest against this behavior said that the attack comes when journalists are risking their lives amid the pandemic to keep public informed. Kashmir Inspector General of Police had assured by making a public statement that journalists/media workers are allowed to work amid the ongoing lockdown. “We demand action against the cops accused of violence against the journalist,” said the club management.

The KPC urged the LG and Director General of Police to look in these regular attacks on press fraternity in Kashmir. While urging the fraternity members to observe proper Covid protocols while on professional duties, the Club has urged the LG Adminstration to issue directions for exempting the media persons from restrictions and treat them as frontline workers.