The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : TDP, BJP walk out over cases against journalists

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Friday, Nov 16, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

TDP, BJP walk out over cases against journalists

CM refutes Opposition’s charge. Says government has no intention of curbing press freedom

HYDERABAD: Members of the Telugu Desam and the BJP staged a walkout in the Assembly on Thursday charging the Government with being vindictive against two reporters of vernacular dailies, even as Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy offered to withdraw the cases, if they were in the wrong and if the journalists’ union so desired.

Intervening during a discussion on the issue, Dr. Reddy refuted the Opposition’s charge and made it clear that the Government had no intention of curbing press freedom. He said it appeared that the journalists fabricated evidence and tried to extort money from the works inspector and village secretary.

Report awaited

Investigation was continuing and final report from the handwriting experts was awaited. It would be placed before the journalists’ body and whatever decision taken by it would be implemented be it with continuing or withdrawing the case, Dr. Reddy stated.

He said under the voluntary disclosure scheme 19,000 Indiramma houses of the 89,000 verified were found to be either bogus or not as per sanctioned plan. Action was being taken.

Plea to media

He urged journalists, political parties and newspaper managements to send in writing if they came across any irregularities and the government would get them enquired. Information Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy charged the TDP with not having bothered about the welfare of journalists, when in power.

Earlier, TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, leaders of CPI (M), CPI and BJP wanted the cases against two journalists withdrawn. The Left members, however, said action could be taken if they had resorted to blackmail.

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