City scribes protest FIR against The Tribune, reporter

LUDHIANA: City journalists from various media houses, several associations and members of some non-governmental organisations organised a silent protest against an FIR registered against journalist Rachna Khaira and The Tribune for exposing the flaws in the UIDAI system.

Journalists submit a memorandum to the DC in Ludhiana on Monday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 8

City journalists from various media houses, several associations and members of some non-governmental organisations organised a silent protest against an FIR registered against journalist Rachna Khaira and The Tribune for exposing the flaws in the UIDAI system.

The breach was a threat to the national security and violation of rights of citizens, said the protesters.

Led by senior journalists, they met Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Agarwal and submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through him.

Along with quashing of the FIR, the journalists demanded suspension and departmental action against the UIDAI officials who, instead of owning responsibility for their lapse, got the FIR registered against the journalist and the newspaper. The journalists also warned the government that if their demands are not met, they will take to road protests for the sake of freedom of the press.

Ahmedgarh activists threaten to launch agitation

Mandi Ahmedgarh: Office-bearers and activists of various trade and social organisations of the town and surroundings have condemned the FIR against the Tribune and its reporter over a story that exposed the security breach in the Aadhaar system. They have announced to back any agitation to be launched in support of the media persons facing harassment and victimisation due to their bold steps to protect rights of citizens. Ravinder Puri and Ajay Malhotra, chairman and president, respectively, of the Journalists’ Association, said activists, led by Punjab Kissan Sabha office-bearer Baldev Singh Latala and Sikandar Singh Jartauli, had threatened to launch a coordinated movement against the Centre. — OC

Samrala media wants withdrawal of case

Samrala press club members held a meeting, under club chairman Ram Gopal Sofat, and flayed the case registered against The Tribune and its reporter Rachna Khaira by the UIDAI. They later marched to the Samrala SDM’s office and presented a memorandum to the Samrala Tehsildar. They demanded immediate cancellation of the case against the reporter. OC