From Our Correspondent
PASIGHAT, Oct 15: The Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ), Arunachal Press Club (APC) and Pasighat Press Club (PPC) have condemned the alleged harassment and attempted assault of Pasighat’s Hills News reporter Toram Melong.
The apex media bodies referenced the FIR filed by the reporter in Pasighat Police station on Monday alleging that he was verbally abused along with his wife while they were purchasing a birthday gift at Medical Chariali.
In the FIR, Melong said that “while we were at the shop, one of the boys remarked, “HILLS NEWS REPORTER,” and all of them started using abusive and vulgar language against me repeatedly. I turned to the boy wearing sunglasses and asked, “Brother, are you talking about me? What happened?” Immediately, the boy without clothes and the one wearing sunglasses attempted to attack me. I stepped back, and as they approached, 1 noticed the boy without clothes smelled heavily of alcohol and the boy who was wearing jumper snatch my 1-phone while taking photographs for further records.”
The three accused have been identified as Kaling Tamuk, a resident of Tebo, GTC; Nyolon Taknyo (Doming) without clothes, resident of Sibo Village and the one in a jumper is yet to be identified.
As per the FIR, two of them attacked Melong while another was intoxicated. They snatched away phone of the reporter and also tried to attack his wife.
In a joint statement, APUWJ, APC and PPC, expressed deep concern over the incident and stressed that such occurrences are unacceptable in a democratic society. They also urged the police to ensure safety of the journalists in the district and ensure proper legal action against the miscreants.
“Journalists play a crucial role in bringing important issues to light and their safety must be a top priority. Any attempt to intimidate or harm them is an attack on the freedom of the press and democracy,” the statement added.
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