Kashmir photojournalists allege they were manhandled by police

Srinagar: A body of photojournalists on Saturday alleged that some of its members were manhandled by policemen at Batamaloo area in the city and threatened to gherao Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s residence if action was not taken against the erring personnel.

They alleged that over a dozen photojournalists were assaulted while they were discharging professional duties in the area.

“The photojournalists showed them curfew passes, but policemen declined to acknowledge them,” a spokesperson alleged.

The photojournalists staged a sit-in and left only after SSP, Srinagar, Amit Kumar assured them of action against the erring policemen, he said.

“If action is not taken against the policemen involved in the beating up of photojournalists at Batamaloo, we would be forced to hit the streets and stage protest at the Chief Minister’s residence,” the spokesman added.

Police officials refused to comment on the incident.

PTI