Massive Protest Erupts in Konta, Chhattisgarh as Journalists Rally Against Alleged False Arrests by Andhra Pradesh Police
By Addanki Iswar R.
Malkangiri, 17th August ,2024:- A massive protest erupted in Konta, Chhattisgarh, as journalists from four states gathered to demand the immediate release of four journalists who were recently arrested by Chintur Police, Andhra Pradesh, on what are believed to be false charges. The incident has sparked outrage across the region, with more than 500 journalists from Chatishgarh,Odisha,Andhrapradesh and Telegana joined the demonstration.
The arrested journalists—Nishu Trivedi, Manish Thakur, Dharmendra Singh, and Bapi Rai—were apprehended while on a news-gathering assignment in Chintur, located near the border of Malkangiri district. According to reports, the journalists were stopped and detained by police on the road under dubious circumstances, leading to widespread allegations of a conspiracy against them. A CCTV recording reportedly shows evidence of the plot, but despite this, little action has been taken by the authorities to address the situation.
In response to these arrests, journalists from the neighboring states have come together, wearing black badges and tying black cloths around their mouths to symbolize the suppression of press freedom. The protestors issued a strong demand for the immediate release of their colleagues and called for a CBI investigation into the incident.
The governments of both Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh had previously promised to address the matter, but no concrete results have been seen so far. Protest leaders have warned that if justice is not served promptly, the movement will intensify further.
Adding to the tension, a police inspector from Konta has been suspended and arrested in connection with the incident. However, the government’s continued inaction has drawn condemnation from the journalist community across the four states.
During the protest, the journalists submitted a memorandum to the Sub Divisional Magistrate of Konta, addressed to the Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, urging swift intervention. The event saw the presence of notable figures including Deba Prasad Das, President of Malkangiri Union of Journalists, Utkal Journalist Association President Duryodhan Patra, as well as Debu Sana, Gopi Patnaik,Bapi Beuria ,Ashok Mishra, Bikram Swain, Siba Prasad Kirtania, and A. Iswar Rao.
The situation remains tense as journalists continue to rally for the release of their colleagues and for justice to be served.
