Journalists submit memoranda to CM, Biman and Mamata

Kolkata, Nov 19 (UNI) Journalists today submitted memoranda to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, CPI(M) State Secretary Biman Bose and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee after marching through the city to vent their protest against recent attacks on them in Nandigram by political parties.

The memoranda, submitted by Press Club, Kolkata, said, '' Not only our professional colleagues beaten up, hounded and harassed, but they were also prevented from entering some areas by supporters of political parties at different points of times. Such a situation cannot be accepted by any working journalist. '' It also resented the intolerant remarks made against different media houses by different political parties.

Mr Bhattacharjee admitted that during the last four days of Nandigram incident, journalists were barred from entering the area and said even the police were not allowed at that time.

The Chief Minister assured the media persons that it would not recur and said the block and zonal committees in East Midnapore district had been asked to look into the matter.

Earlier, media persons from leading english and vernacular dailies, news agencies and electronic channels started their journey from the Press Club, walked through the main thoroughfares of the city and culminated in the Press Club itself.

The procession, which saw a heavy turnout of journalists, was organised under the aegis of the Press Club.

In the recent times, several media persons had to face the ire of different political parties in strife-torn Nandigram during coverage.

UNI