Journalists protest against senior scribe's thrashing by J&K Minister's security

Srinagar: Journalists in Kashmir Valley on Tuesday staged a protest against the alleged thrashing of a senior scribe by the security detail of state Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone. Dozens of journalists, working for various local and national media houses, held the protest near the Press Colony in Srinagar after Javaid Malik, who works for a leading local English daily in Srinagar, was allegedly beaten by some guards of the minister. [caption id=“attachment_2293750” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image/AP[/caption] Holding placards that read “Solidarity with Javaid Malik”, “End VIP culture” and “CM must break his silence”, the journalists demanded action against the accused and resignation of the minister. The journalists were supported by independent MLA from Langate, Sheikh Abdul Rashid, members of a trade organization Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and some separatist groups. They also held a peaceful sit-in at the commercial hub, Lal Chowk. Malik had on Monday alleged that he was thrashed by the cops for objecting to lewd remarks passed at the his wife by one of the guards. “I and my wife were going to buy vegetables from the local market when the minister’s cavalcade started honking horn relentlessly at Bagh-e-Mehtab. I allowed the cavalcade the right to passage as soon as possible,” Malik said. He alleged that some guards of Lone, who was also sitting in one of the vehicles, argued with him over the delay in giving passage to the cavalcade. “As they were leaving, one of the guards passed some lewd remarks at my wife. I gave a chase to the minister’s cavalcade and wanted to bring it to his notice,” the journalist said. He claimed that as he walked towards Lone’s vehicle to bring the matter to his notice, the guards pounced on him and thrashed him. “The guards were so rude. They kept on beating me despite my wife pleading before them,” Malik said. PTI