On-duty Police Misbehaves with Media in Kaup where CM HDK is undergoing Treatment
Udupi: A police officer providing security cover for Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and former PM H D Devegowda, verbally abused media persons with foul language at Kaup here, on May 1.
Since the past two days, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda have been undergoing nephropathy treatment at Sai Radha Resort in Kaup. From the first day itself, media persons were being harrased by the police officials and denied coverage of news regarding the Chief Minister’s treatment.
On Wednesday morning, Shirva SI Abudul Khader pushed a media person’s video camera and tried to thrash a cameraman belonging to Stalight channel. At the same time, another SI from Kaup Police station – Naveen Naik used foul language against media persons.
The locals too allege that, since the Chief Minster’s arrival at the resort, the police have been unnecessarily harassing them. The police officials have not been allowing them to move on the private roads as well. The police have threatened and warned the locals not to give mediapersons access to their houses.
When the incident was aired on the regional news channels, additional SP rushed to the spot and requested the TV channels not to air any news that was against the Udupi Police. He added that they were just doing their duty as per the instructions given by the Chief Minister’s Office. He requested the press to co-operate with the police officials for security purposes.
The Udupi District Journalist’s Association condemned the actions of SI Abdul Kahder and Naveen Naik, and demanded strict action against them.
Addressing the mediapersons Udupi District SP Nisha James said, “We are following the instructions given by the Chief Minister’s Office. I am pained to hear that our officials verbally abused the media persons and I condemn it as well. I will take action against such officials if the media persons submit any written complaint against them. The Chief Minister’s visit is a completely private matter. He has Z plus security status and we are giving that to him. We have instructed police officials to not harass the public when they are using the private roads. I also request the media to co-operate with the police officials.”
