No restrictions on media coverage of Telangana protest: A K Khan
Hyderabad, January 08: City Police on Saturday denied allegations that they were imposing restrictions on the media covering protests against the Justice Srikrishna Committee report even as they issued a notice to a local news channel for violating the guidelines issued by the NBA.
“We never imposed any restriction and only guidelines issued by the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) and directions issued by the High Court are being implemented,” City Commissioner of Police A Khan told reporters here.
The police was only implementing the guidelines issued by the NBA and High Court in public interest, Khan asserted, replying to a query.
He said the police today issued a notice to a local news channel for violating the NBA guidelines and keeping a watch on two more channels.
“We are keeping a watch on the telecast of two more channels,” the City Police Chief said.
Following the stone pelting by students on the OU campus after protests erupted after the release of the Srikrishna committee report, 24 police personnel have been injured during last two days, the Commissioner said adding the protesters also torched five RTC buses besides damaging eight more buses.
“So far 12 persons have been arrested including some students who indulged in stone-pelting and violence,” he said.
Replying to another query, the Police Commissioner said one person has been identified who sent fake SMSs in bulk (that claimed firing by police and injuries to over 70 students) and he would soon be nabbed.
The media is supposed to follow the guidelines issued by the NBA, he said.
The NBA has issued eight guidelines which include not to telecast visuals which are likely to encourage violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order and avoid telecasting unnecessary repetition of sensitive visuals.
–Agencies