Journalists attacked by police, disrupted by protesters in India
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 18 December 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
Journalists in India faced violence from police and protestors amid nationwide demonstrations against a new citizenship law. The Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attacks and called for the safety of reporters.Summary
NEW YORK — Indian authorities must ensure the safety of all journalists covering protests across the country, the Committee to Protect Journalists said.
Tens of thousands of people have gathered on college campuses across India since December 11 to protest a new citizenship law, which eases the path to citizenship for persecuted religious groups from neighboring countries, but excludes Muslims, according to news reports.
Police allegedly assaulted at least two journalists covering the protests, in Srinagar and in Delhi on December 15, and students pushed and shoved a news crew in Delhi on December 13, according to news reports.
“Indian authorities must ensure that journalists can cover the nationwide protests freely and without harm from security forces or demonstrators,” said Aliya Iftikhar, CPJ’s senior Asia researcher. “Journalists play a fundamental role in documenting historic events and must not be obstructed or retaliated against in any way.”
At least 80 people were injured amid protests at Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh and at least 50 people were injured in Delhi, according to a report by the BBC. Police officers shot and killed at least two protesters in Assam, according to news reports. — A CPJ Statement/Photo: AP
Key Points
- Police assaulted journalists in Srinagar and Delhi during protests.
- Tens of thousands are protesting a citizenship law excluding Muslims.
- At least 80 injuries reported at Aligarh Muslim University protests.
- Two protesters were shot and killed by police in Assam.
- The CPJ demands that authorities ensure journalists' safety and freedom.
Relevant Topics
Ask AI: Understand this story your way
AI EnabledDig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.
Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.
