DUJ Expresses Concern Over Journos Injured While Covering Farmers’ Protest
Tear gas shelling at the Shambhu border on February 13, 2024.
New Delhi: Amid reports of Haryana Police using drones to fire tear gas shells and lath-charging at the Punjab-Haryana border injuring over 100 farmers, some journalists on reporting assignment were also injured.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) two journalists, Satender Chauhan and Niel Bhalinder Singh, suffered injuries while covering the protests at the Shambhu border on Tuesday.
Chauhan, a correspondent for Aajtak, was ‘live’ on the channel when he was hit by a ‘chharra’ in the eye area. The channel showed a colleague helping him to leave the spot. He was taken to hospital. Singh of the Savera group of newspapers was taken to hospital bleeding heavily as a tear gas shell fired by a drone fell on his head.
Unconfirmed reports have also come in regarding injuries to other journalists, said a statement by DUJ.
It said the Patiala Media Club and the Chandigarh Press Club have demanded safety for journalists covering such events.
The DUJ also expressed concern at the Internet shutdown imposed in seven districts of Haryana and three districts of Rajasthan, which has made it extremely difficult for journalists to cover the protests.
Also, social media accounts of some journalists including Mandeep Punia of Gaon Savera have been taken down, it noted
The DUJ statement condemned the violence on protesting farmers that has led to injuries and hospitalisations, and urged the Centre to ensure that the farmers’ demands are settled amicably.
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