The police arrested over 10 YSR Congress leaders and cadres in front of an MSO office where they staged dharna in protest against the ‘blackout’ of Sakshi channel on Saturday.
Party’s town committee president A. Venu, municipal councillor S.V.V. Rajesh, and district youth wing president S. Bangaru Naidu, who were among those arrested, said that the government’s action against the media channel was a violation of freedom of expression, and demanded that it be restored immediately. On receiving information about the arrest of the leaders, party district president and MLC Kolagatla Veerabhadra Swamy visited the I Town Police Station where the arrested were lodged and sought to know from inspector Venkata Appa Rao the reason for the arrests. Later, the leaders and cadres were released on submission of personal surety.
Special Correspondent in Kurnool writes: Scribes and lensmen took out a rally and squatted in protest before the Mahatma Gandhi statue in front of Kurnool Collectorate decrying the curbs imposed on the channel.
APUWJ district secretary M. Ramamohan, vice-president Dharani Kishore Babu and executive member S.Md. Ismail were among others who participated.
Staff Reporter in Srikakulam writes: Journalists urged the administrations of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts to restore telecast of the ‘Sakshi’ channel.
APUWJ State president N. Dharma Rao said that the government should not curtail the freedom of press under the guise of protecting law and order.
