Media professionals should not go incognito, said Delhi Police after a photojournalist was allegedly manhandled for clicking picture of a senior police officer slapping a trader during the ongoing sealing drive on Thursday.
Vipin Sharma, photojournalist with a Hindi daily, said that he was covering sealing drive conducted by South Delhi Municipal Corporation with the assistance of Delhi Police in Lajpat Nagar.
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‘Refused to empty shops’
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The traders alleged that the sealing authorities did not give them enough time to empty their shops. During the protest, they refused to come out of their shops. Several traders suffered injuries after the police used force to control them.
In one of such case, Mr. Sharma clicked the picture of Additional DCP (South-East) Amit Sharma slapping a trader.
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‘Manhandled’
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“Suddenly six policemen circled me and snatched my camera. They manhandled me and forced me to delete photographs. I deleted the pictures. They took me to Amar Colony police station and made me sit on the floor for one hour,” said Mr. Sharma.
The situation was controlled after south east district Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Chinmoy Biswal reached Amar Colony police station and immediately released the photojournalist.
Handing over his camera, Mr. Biswal said that he regrets the inconvenience caused Mr. Sharma.
“We maintain professionalism while handling law and order situation. If any such situation develops, it is by chance and happened to save life and property. A journalist should not go incognito while covering such protests. We have ordered an inquiry into the matter,” said Deependra Pathak, chief spokesperson for Delhi Police.
‘Should not happen’
Meanwhile, reacting to the incident, Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari said that there are reports of high handed behaviour by police officers against traders and media persons which they condemn and should not happen again.