Media protest assault of TV9 cameraman by sand mafia

Mangalore Today

Mangalore, Jan 8: Members of the DK Working Journalist Union along with a large number of media persons from various print and electronic media gathered in front of DC office in solidarity condemning the attack on Wilfred D’Souza, cameraman of TV9 by the sand mafia at Bakrabail, near Manjeshwara along the Karnataka – Kerala border.

 

 

 

Wilfred D’Souza and his brother Anil D’Souza were attacked by a group of persons who were involved in illegal sand mining and transporting to Kerala while they were shooting the stock of sand at Bakabail, The culprits are believed to be involved with the sand-mining and smuggling sand into Kerala state for long.

Harsha, president of the DK Working Journalist’ union, in his speech said that the act of cruelty took place at Bakrabail close to Manjeshwar while the journalist who was shooting illegal stock of sand mined by sand mafia. He said that the media associations of the country condemn this act strongly. Wilfred D’Souza was on duty presenting the facts and exposing the illegal activity.

Harish Rai, a senior journalist, spoke on the freedom of press and reminded that, journalists have been victims of criminal and illegal activities.  It is increasingly difficult to work freely. A number of journalists are eager to present bare facts to the public; but the anti-social elements are hindering their sincere efforts. Journalists have to live in fear of losing their lives. The authorities concerned have failed to control these incidents. The district administration and the authorities can put an end to illegal sand business, but they do not do so as they are hand in glove with the businessmen.

 

 

Sukhpal Polali of TV9 explained that Wilfred and Anil were forcibly taken in a vehicle to some unknown place and then manhandled. The police in Kerala have not taken any action in spite of lodging the complaint. 

Anand Shetty, bureau chief of Hosa Digantha, Ramakrishna, bureau chief of Samyuktha Karnataka, Mohammed Arif of Vijaya Karnataka, Yogesh Holla of Kasturi TV, Prakash Pandeshwar, Publisher of Jayakirana, and many media persons condemned the attack and spoke on the occasion. The Dakshina Kannada Media in total have demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

 
A memorandum demanding immediate action, addressed to the chief minister of Karnataka, was presented to Prabhakar Sharma, Head Quarters Assistant.