By Arun Pratap SinghGarhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 26 May: A delegation of journalists led by senior journalist Avikal Thapliyal today met Director General, Information, Banshidhar Tiwari and raised concerns regarding the inappropriate police action against journalist Hem Bhatt. During the meeting, the delegation sought a written clarification from the authorities and demanded that, if there is any evidence against Hem Bhatt, it should be made public in the interest of transparency and fairness.
In a further development later today, it is understood that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken cognisance of the issue and it has been indicated by the officials that some action will soon follow on behalf of the government in this particular episode.
Banshidhar Tiwari informed the delegation that he had sought one day’s time to hold discussions with senior police officials regarding the matter. He assured the journalists that after these discussions, he would communicate the outcome to Avikal Thapliyal, following which the future course of action and strategy would be decided by the journalists.
The delegation that called on the DG, Information, today, also included Ajit Singh Rathi, Avneesh Premi, Pawan Lalchand, Gajendra Rawat, Pol Khol Bahuguna, Amit Godiyal, Vijay Rawat, Saurabh Bhatia, Gunanand Jakhmola and Danish Khan. Later, Manoj Ishtwal and Arjun Singh Rawat also joined the group.
Meanwhile, an another delegation of journalists led by the Akhil Bharatiya Patrakar Suraksha Samiti also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand regarding the alleged unethical and unconstitutional detention of senior journalist Hem Bhatt of Jai Bharat TV from his private residence during the night by the police.
The memorandum was received by City Magistrate Pratyush Singh on behalf of the District Magistrate, Dehradun. During the meeting, State President of the Akhil Bharatiya Patrakar Suraksha Samiti, Anupam Khatri welcomed newly appointed District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan by presenting a bouquet and apprised him in detail about the entire incident. Dr Ashish Chauhan assured the delegation that the matter would be taken seriously and examined with due sensitivity.
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