Pondy: Scribes vexed over denial of entry to airport

Puducherry, July 5: Agitated journalists today blocked the main entrance of the airport here to protest the denial of their entry to cover the visit of UPA Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil, expected to reach here at 1230 hrs.

The Pradesh Congress Committee had arranged a vehicle for the scribes to reach the airport. However, the vehicle was stopped at the main entrance the police officials, stating that the reporters were given pass only to cover the meeting of Ms Patil at the Sunway hotel.

As the politicians and other VIPs were allowed inside, the scribes squatted on the road and blocked the main entrance, preventing the entry of other vehicles. PMK Parliamentary party leader Prof M Ramadass and PMK Legislators Arul Murugan and Panneerselvam also joined the agitation.

As tension mounted, SSP Srikanth held talks with the scribes and informed them that it was the airport authorities who barred their entry and not the police. However, an airport official said that they had said the Press would be only allowed, if any officer took charge of them.

Later, Mr Srikanth said he would allow the photographers and videographers inside immediately and the reporters at the time of Ms Patil's arrival. Following this assurance, the scribes called off their agitation.

Unprecedented security arrangements have been made for Ms Patil visit here. She would be addressing a joint meeting of the Legislators of the Congress and its allies here. The three-member PMC, which had extended support to Ms Patil yesterday, would also attend the meeting.

UNI

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