Mangalore: DKWJU Protests Against Attack on TV9 Cameraman
Pics: Sphoorty Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RS)
Mangalore, Jan 8: Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists’ Union organized a protest on Friday, January 8 in the city, against the assault on a TV9 Kannada television channel cameraman, Wilfred D Souza, and condemning the cruel act of the sand mafia, which is involved in illegal mining and transportation of sand in Karnataka-Kerala state borders.
Addressing the protest, held in front of the district deputy commissioner’s office here, Harsha, president of the Union, said that the attack on journalists is a blatant attack on the freedom of press. The issue of the attack should be taken very seriously, and the attackers should be arrested soon, he demanded.
P B Harish Rai, secretary of the Union, demanded that the government deal with this issue sternly and noted that the sand mafia, which is involved in anti-social activities, has also been affecting the day to day activities of the people. The attack on a media person is reflective of the presence of the mafia activity and hence, the police as well as the government should take immediate measures to control or to curb the sand mafia activity, he demanded, adding that the illegal sand mining should be stopped by the government through the enforcement of stricter rules.
Journalists, V U George, Agnel Rodrigues, Ashok Shetty, Ramakrishna R, Ravindra shetty, Jitendra Kundeswara and others addressed the protestors. Journalist, Yogish Holla, read out the memorandum submitted to the deputy commissioner on this occasion. Almost all the members of DKWJU and other press persons participated in the protest.
Office bearers of the union, under the leadership of Ananda Shetty, president of Mangalore Press Club, handed over a memorandum, demanding immediate action against the attackers, to the additional deputy commissioner of the district, Prabhakar Sharma, after the protest.
Ahinda, an organization of minorities, backward and dalit communities, and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike also have condemned the attack.
Wilfred D Souza was attacked by the sand mining mafia, when he was discharging his duties by shooting illegal mining and transportation operations, near Bakrabail under Manjeswar Police station. His brother, Anil D Souza, who was also with him, also has been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in city.