New Delhi: Left leaders condemned on Saturday Delhi Police sealing the office of the UNI news agency, claiming that the move reflected the intimidation of the press and the arrogance of the authorities.
CPI(M) Secretary General MA Baby on X said the free press cannot function under threat and the authorities must ensure accountability.
“We strongly condemn the appalling behavior of the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces at UNI’s Rafi Marg office, where journalists were allegedly dragged and ill-treated. Such high-handedness, denial of advance notice and time to collect personal belongings, and reported ill-treatment, including of women employees, is unacceptable in a fair court order and cannot be said in an order of Baba’s justice.”
“A free press cannot function under threat. Authorities must ensure accountability and uphold the dignity and rights of journalists,” he added.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya accused the police of mishandling journalists during the deportation.
“Delhi Police is rough journalist and employees and seal UNI office in Delhi. Can the attack on the press become more physical? This police action should not be allowed to be normalized,” he said.
Delhi Police on Friday closed the office of news agency UNI here, citing a high court order, even as the media organization called the move an “attack on press freedom”.
The news agency claimed that its female employees were treated by the police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma told PTI that due process was followed and there was no wrongdoing as everything was filmed.
