Senior CPI(M) leader and Coimbatore MP P R Natarajan has demanded the immediate arrest of the goons who attacked journalist Balaji, who had gone to cover an illegal stone quarry issue.
Coimbatore: Balaji, a journalist with a private TV channel, was severely beaten up by goons when he went to shoot a video on the mineral loot in Coimbatore. Coimbatore MP P R Natarajan issued a statement in this regard.
"Based on a tip-off that stone quarries are operating illegally in Kinathukadavu area of Coimbatore district, a team of news channel News Tamil has gone there to collect news. Cinematographer Balaji was surrounded by an anti-social mob while he was collecting news about the stone quarry and stopped him from shooting.
They also abused and threatened the team of journalists and surrounded cinematographer Balaji and thrashed him and injured him. They have also tried to snatch away the camera he was holding. The events that took place at that time were telecast live and are being talked about all over Tamil Nadu.
Balaji, who was injured in the attack by a gang of mineral robbers, has been admitted to the Pollachi Government Hospital and has been admitted to the Coimbatore Government General Hospital after first aid. The incident of attack on journalist Balaji, who went to cover the news, is highly condemnable.
Journalists' organisations have been protesting against this for the past two days. Therefore, those responsible for this incident should be immediately arrested and subjected to strict action. The government should provide adequate relief to Balaji who was attacked.
From time to time, there have been reports that huge mafias are involved in such illegal mining in Kinathukadavu block of Coimbatore district. Has a high-level committee been constituted in this regard and proper permission has been given to take up the mineral resources? It should be enquired whether the mineral is being extracted only within the permissible limits.
At the same time, attacks on journalists in the country are becoming a recurring theme. It is also an act of some party leaders who insult journalists who question dictatorship. Journalists who question the centre of power continue to be openly intimidated.
This results in the suppression of the freedom of the press, the fourth pillar of democracy, and the stranglehold of democracy. Journalists are independent. The tendency to intimidate and intimidate them by pointing out mistakes is dangerous for the country. The Tamil Nadu government should stand by the side of journalists on this issue and strengthen their hands.
With such attacks continuing, workplace security is essential for journalists as they do for government employees and doctors. Therefore, the Government should take necessary steps to bring the Journalists Protection Bill in the current assembly session itself to provide legal protection to journalists working in Tamil Nadu.
This is what he said.
"Based on a tip-off that stone quarries are operating illegally in Kinathukadavu area of Coimbatore district, a team of news channel News Tamil has gone there to collect news. Cinematographer Balaji was surrounded by an anti-social mob while he was collecting news about the stone quarry and stopped him from shooting.
They also abused and threatened the team of journalists and surrounded cinematographer Balaji and thrashed him and injured him. They have also tried to snatch away the camera he was holding. The events that took place at that time were telecast live and are being talked about all over Tamil Nadu.
Balaji, who was injured in the attack by a gang of mineral robbers, has been admitted to the Pollachi Government Hospital and has been admitted to the Coimbatore Government General Hospital after first aid. The incident of attack on journalist Balaji, who went to cover the news, is highly condemnable.
Journalists' organisations have been protesting against this for the past two days. Therefore, those responsible for this incident should be immediately arrested and subjected to strict action. The government should provide adequate relief to Balaji who was attacked.
From time to time, there have been reports that huge mafias are involved in such illegal mining in Kinathukadavu block of Coimbatore district. Has a high-level committee been constituted in this regard and proper permission has been given to take up the mineral resources? It should be enquired whether the mineral is being extracted only within the permissible limits.
At the same time, attacks on journalists in the country are becoming a recurring theme. It is also an act of some party leaders who insult journalists who question dictatorship. Journalists who question the centre of power continue to be openly intimidated.
This results in the suppression of the freedom of the press, the fourth pillar of democracy, and the stranglehold of democracy. Journalists are independent. The tendency to intimidate and intimidate them by pointing out mistakes is dangerous for the country. The Tamil Nadu government should stand by the side of journalists on this issue and strengthen their hands.
With such attacks continuing, workplace security is essential for journalists as they do for government employees and doctors. Therefore, the Government should take necessary steps to bring the Journalists Protection Bill in the current assembly session itself to provide legal protection to journalists working in Tamil Nadu.
This is what he said.