2 more arrested including a so-called journalist
KD NEWS SERVICE
BARAMULLA, Oct 26: Continuing with its investigations in an alleged case of physical assault on assistant director food department in Baramulla, police on Wednesday arrested two more accused including a so-called journalist who is said to be allegedly involved in instigating mobs against the department.
Sources told Kashmir Despatch that earlier the director CAPD had issued a show cause notice to this so called scribe calling for a written reply within three days for his alleged involvement in instigating the public against the department.
The show cause notice, a copy of which is in possessions of Kashmir Despatch reads: “Whereas; you being at the pivot of this crucial role of information sourcing and dissemination, so it is your duty and obligation to continue to remain the trusted pillar of democracy.
Whereas; Journalism is more about providing authentic and accurate information to the masses, providing a platform for the oppressed to raise their voices, than just hosting a TV show with audience-centric punch lines for TRPs, profits , popularity and vested interests.
Whereas; it becomes doubly important for journalists to source and disseminate accurate information for the benefit of society at large. It’s also important to take note of the fact that media should play a constructive role in larger interests of masses and that cannot be done by pressurizing Government to take actions-unlike those biased, rotten and profiteering ones.
Whereas; like many broader ethical systems, the ethics of journalism include the principle of “limitation of harm.” This may involve the withholding of certain details from reports as the release of such information might harm the reputation of the individual / Organization.
Whereas ; your comments and the claims in the video that has been shared by you on the social media in your programme ……broadcasted on your Facebook page….were found to be ‘prima facie false’ and you seem to be spreading misinformation among the masses about the functioning of the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Kashmir which is a non-professional approach at your end.
Whereas, your content misleads the public and peddle false propaganda, which tantamounts to a violation of section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and this can lead to chaos and tension among the masses and there is also apprehension of law and order situations as this video of yours’ aims at creating a communication gap between the traders, the representative heads of whom you have invited on your shows and this Department.
Whereas; it has also come to the notice of this office that you are poking your nose in the routine functioning of this Department at District level and you are also proving to be a limiting factor in practical implementation of Circular instructions issued by this Directorate for closure of a sale center opened by way of internal adjustment in your area/locality i.e. Chenad Sangrama, by dividing the locals of the area into sections.
Reportedly you have also been causing hindrances in effective and smooth functioning of a Fair Price shop which is being run at the aforesaid location by one Mr. Mudasir Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir resident of Chenad Sangrama District Baramulla as a result of which the distribution of ration among the bonafide consumers continues to suffer.
In the backdrop of the above, you are hereby asked to desist from publishing / broadcasting such videos on social media forthwith. Besides, you are also asked to explain as to why action under rules for violation of section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 shall not be initiated against you.Your written response in this regard shall reach to this Directorate within a period of 03 days positively, failing which action under norms shall follow against you without any further notice.”
Meanwhile, a police official told Kashmir Despatch that the ‘so-journalist’ a resident of Chinnad Sangrama in Baramulla was held for instigating the mob against the department and manhandling of the senior official and employees at the department in Baramulla.
So far, six people have been arrested in the case and further investigations are going on, the official added.
On Tuesday Assistant Director, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Baramulla and his employees were assaulted by a group of goons and four people were arrested on spot.
Following the incident, employees staged a protest demonstration demanding action against the accused. The employees had alleged that the violent incident was carried out at the behest of a so-called journalist who owns a shop in Sopore and is a resident of Chinnad Sangrama.
Sources told Kashmir Despatch that the arrested journalist is running few shops and has been known for his proximity with certain senior officers in the district.
