More than three Journalists injured with tear gas shells at Shambu border
Senior journalist Neel Bhalinder Singh injured with Tear Gas Shell fired by Haryana Police at Shambhu Border
Patiala Media Club expressed serious concern over the injury of a large number of journalists in the farmers' struggle
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala, February 13, 2024: Patiala Media Club, a prestigious organization of journalists of Patiala, has expressed serious concern over the violence that took place at the Shambhu border today during the farmers' struggle and the injuries to a large number of journalists during the firing of tear gas shells and such incidents. termed as unfortunate, unnecessary and avoidable.
In a statement issued here, the executive committee of Patiala Media Club said that media is the fourth pillar of democracy and field coverage for the journalist community is the most basic and essential step in their responsibilities.
He said that on the day the farmers' struggle started and the Delhi Chalo campaign was announced, it has been seen that the Haryana policemen took away the cameras of the media persons and also prevented them from covering the Shambhu border.
The committee said that many media journalists have been seriously injured in today's indiscriminate tear gas shelling campaign by drones, including journalists Satinder Chauhan, Neil Bhalinder Singh, Krishan Singh and many other journalists.
The executive committee said that it is a matter of grave concern that journalists performing their duty have been subjected to violence and now the injured journalists are undergoing treatment.
The committee has appealed to the Center as well as all the state governments including Punjab and Haryana to ensure the safety of journalists covering various conflicts, including the farmers' struggle.
Journalists are not parties in any way but fair reporting is their primary responsibility. Therefore, governments must ensure the safety of the journalistic community, the main pillar of the fourth pillar of democracy.