Slapgate: Working Journalists, PCJ submit memorandum to Governor seeking action against IG Traffic

Jammu, Oct 31
The working journalists, camerapersons and management committee of the Press Club of Jammu on Wednesday submitted memorandum to the Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik seeking action against the IG Traffic Basant Rath for allegedly slapping a journalist and snatching his mobile phone for unknown reasons. The working journalist in a meeting here unanimously decided to submit a copy of memorandum to the Governor seeking action against the officer. The journalists alleged that the IG Traffic Basant Rath did not mend his ways despite a protest march taken out on Tuesday. The journos however, putforth various suggestions in the meeting after which a consensus was developed on submission of memorandum to the Governor and his immediate attention was sought. They said that a police complaint was also lodged in Police station, Gandhi Nagar on the fateful day for registration of FIR in the case but till date no FIR has been registered against the ‘erring’ officer. The incident has created a wedge between the state administration and media men in Jammu and it is not a healthy sign especially in a state of Jammu and Kashmir. The press fraternity of Jammu appealed to kindly seek detailed report from the concerned authorities and take appropriate action as per rule of law to restore faith in the state administration. “In the absence of speedy redressal we will be left with no other option but to take the fight to the higher level and the onus will be on the state administration and not on the press fraternity,” said the journalists in one voice.