The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Scribes' harassment reports irk YSR

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Sunday, Aug 21, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Scribes' harassment reports irk YSR

Special Correspondent

Asks Director-General of Police Swaranjit Sen to exercise restraint

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has directed the police force not to harass journalists or threaten them under the Public Security Act of Andhra Pradesh invoked against the CPI (Maoist) and its front organisations.

Dr. Reddy told The Hindu on Saturday that he had instructed the Director General of Police to use restraint in the anti-naxal operations.

"Innocent civilians extending cooperation to naxalites under coercion or journalists discharging their duties cannot become the targets of the police. The Public Security Act was invoked against the armed naxalites perpetrating violence and not against innocent civilians," he said and added, "anti-naxal operations do not mean anti-media operations."

Guidelines on reporting

Asked to comment on the Government's move to draft guidelines for the media in reporting activities of naxalites, he emphasised that the Government had no intention to harass journalists. "We will just prepare the guidelines and place them before the journalist unions and the managements for their consideration. It is entirely up to you to abide by them. We only hope that the Fourth Estate will realise its responsibility."

When his attention was drawn to his own criticism of the media, he said: "I was more referring to the television interview of Moddu Srinu whose name figured in the murder of Telugu Desam MLA Paritala Ravindra. I was only trying to emphasise that none is above law and that such criminals must not be idolised in the competition between various media."

Dr. Reddy said he was dismayed that the naxalites had failed the Congress Government which initiated the historic dialogue with the left wing extremists last October in the interest of the people and the State.

"Naxalism has crossed all ideological barriers to become terrorism. Those who support them or refuse to condemn their violence are only encouraging them to shatter the peace further."

He said the Centre had stepped in at the right moment by promising assistance to ensure safety of the lives and property of the people. He hoped that the ban on naxalites in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh would lead to greater coordination in anti-extremist operations.

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