Nayagarh: (Report - Ramakrushna Rath): Journalists in Nayagarh district today staged a demonstration in front of the Nayagarh Superintendent of Police's (SP) office. They were protesting the police's alleged silence and partiality in the case of the attack on Bhapur journalist, Prabhat Kumar Barad. 
The incident occurred on the evening of November 20. Mr. Barad was collecting news about an accident near Bigipur in the Bhapur block. During this time, Laxmidhar Nayak from the nearby village of Lahangapalli allegedly assaulted the journalist.
Mr. Barad immediately filed a complaint regarding this attack at the Fatehgadh Police Station. However, the journalists allege that the police simply registered a case and took no further action. They claim that the police intentionally applied light sections of the law against the accused. Furthermore, the journalists point out that the police also registered a false case against Mr. Barad based on a counter-complaint filed by the accused.
In response to this inaction, journalists met with the Nayagarh District Collector during a public hearing in the Khandapada block to present their demands. Following the District Collector's advice, they also met and discussed the matter with Additional SP Subash Chandra Panda.
Since these discussions failed to yield any satisfactory results, the journalists decided to sit in protest today outside the SP's office. Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Panda arrived and spoke with the protesting journalists. However, the journalists report that they did not receive any firm commitment regarding the fulfillment of their demands.
In light of the inconclusive discussion, the journalists' association has resolved to intensify their protest tomorrow.
Several prominent members of the media fraternity participated in today's demonstration. These included Srikant Khatei, President of the Utkal Journalists' Association, Baidyabhushan Mohapatra, Secretary of the Association, and Bhapur journalists Subhendra Kumar Patnaik and Gitikanta Panda, among many others. The protesting journalists are demanding prompt and impartial action against the attacker and the withdrawal of the false charges filed against their colleague. They emphasize that the safety and freedom of journalists to perform their duties must be protected.
The ongoing protest highlights the growing concern among the local media about the lack of decisive action by law enforcement in cases involving attacks on reporters. The association's decision to escalate the protest tomorrow signals their determination to secure justice for their fellow journalist. They hope the district administration and police will heed their demands and take immediate, appropriate legal steps.
The incident occurred on the evening of November 20. Mr. Barad was collecting news about an accident near Bigipur in the Bhapur block. During this time, Laxmidhar Nayak from the nearby village of Lahangapalli allegedly assaulted the journalist.
Mr. Barad immediately filed a complaint regarding this attack at the Fatehgadh Police Station. However, the journalists allege that the police simply registered a case and took no further action. They claim that the police intentionally applied light sections of the law against the accused. Furthermore, the journalists point out that the police also registered a false case against Mr. Barad based on a counter-complaint filed by the accused.
In response to this inaction, journalists met with the Nayagarh District Collector during a public hearing in the Khandapada block to present their demands. Following the District Collector's advice, they also met and discussed the matter with Additional SP Subash Chandra Panda.
Since these discussions failed to yield any satisfactory results, the journalists decided to sit in protest today outside the SP's office. Additional Superintendent of Police Mr. Panda arrived and spoke with the protesting journalists. However, the journalists report that they did not receive any firm commitment regarding the fulfillment of their demands.
In light of the inconclusive discussion, the journalists' association has resolved to intensify their protest tomorrow.
Several prominent members of the media fraternity participated in today's demonstration. These included Srikant Khatei, President of the Utkal Journalists' Association, Baidyabhushan Mohapatra, Secretary of the Association, and Bhapur journalists Subhendra Kumar Patnaik and Gitikanta Panda, among many others. The protesting journalists are demanding prompt and impartial action against the attacker and the withdrawal of the false charges filed against their colleague. They emphasize that the safety and freedom of journalists to perform their duties must be protected.
The ongoing protest highlights the growing concern among the local media about the lack of decisive action by law enforcement in cases involving attacks on reporters. The association's decision to escalate the protest tomorrow signals their determination to secure justice for their fellow journalist. They hope the district administration and police will heed their demands and take immediate, appropriate legal steps.
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