Journalists boycott event
Srinagar, July 1: Journalists belonging to regional and national media today were accused of being working for militant outfits and were abused by a Sikh body at Gurdwara in Baghat where they had gone to cover their press conference.
Following accusations and abuses the media personnel boycotted the press conference.
According to news agency the journalists who were at the spot said that few Sikh members at the Gurdwara tried to manhandle them before the press conference.
Leaders of Sikh Community were scheduled to hold a press conference at Gurudwara Shaheed Bunga Sahib, Baghat Barzulla at 11 AM today. The organizers had requested media personnel to cover the presser. An invitation was extended to the media by Santpal Singh, President Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee Budgam, who had yesterday invited media to cover the press conference at Gurdwara in Baghat Barzulla over the controversy which erupted over interfaith marriages.
A senior journalist working for a National media channel said that some Sikh leaders abused them and accused them of “working for Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit”.
Another Journalist told for the sake of safety, while covering press conferences on the sensitive issue of alleged conversions and force’s marriage of Sikh girls, journalists should avoid going to venues inside religious places and venues chosen by aggrieved parties. There is every chance of an untoward incident. All press conferences on the issue should be organised at neutral venues.