Tamil Nadu Police clarifies that journalists do not require e-pass and that press ID card would suffice
Coimbatore: With complete lockdown imposed in Tamil Nadu to curb the spread of Covid-19, Chief Minister M K Stalin had announced that journalists will be considered frontline workers.
But complaints have been rife that the police were preventing journalists from doing their duty. The Chennai Press Club has accused the police of demanding journalists to e-register as frontline employees and have been stopping their vehicles. The members of the Chennai Press Club requested the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to intervene in the matter and issue an order to the police.
In response, police clarified that journalists do not need e-registration. According to a press release issued by the Tamil Nadu Police, journalists can use their identity cards to travel across the State. "Journalists can travel across the state using their ID card, media authorization card, and press forum ID card. E-registration is not required for doctors, health workers, journalists, essential staff, Central Government employees, Chief Secretariat Officers, Embassy officials and lawyers when they travel for work," stated the press release.
But complaints have been rife that the police were preventing journalists from doing their duty. The Chennai Press Club has accused the police of demanding journalists to e-register as frontline employees and have been stopping their vehicles. The members of the Chennai Press Club requested the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to intervene in the matter and issue an order to the police.
In response, police clarified that journalists do not need e-registration. According to a press release issued by the Tamil Nadu Police, journalists can use their identity cards to travel across the State. "Journalists can travel across the state using their ID card, media authorization card, and press forum ID card. E-registration is not required for doctors, health workers, journalists, essential staff, Central Government employees, Chief Secretariat Officers, Embassy officials and lawyers when they travel for work," stated the press release.