TJRA : Telangana journalist Reporter Association Demand Justice After Assault on Female Reporters

Hyderabad 

Telangana – August 23, 2024

In a disturbing turn of events, two female journalists from the Telangana Journalists and Reporters Association were brutally assaulted by followers of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in Mahabubnagar district. The attack occurred in Kondareddypalli while journalists Avula Saritha and Vijaya Reddy were investigating issues related to the farm loan waiver program.

The assailants, reportedly close aides of the Chief Minister’s brother, Tirupathi Reddy, are captured in widely circulated social media images, raising serious concerns about their political affiliations. The assault involved both physical violence and the confiscation of the journalists' equipment, a troubling breach of press freedom.

Mir Qurram Ali, President of the Telangana Journalists and Reporters Association, has issued an urgent letter to the Director General of Police, Telangana, demanding immediate action. Ali condemned the attack and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to uphold the safety of journalists and the integrity of journalism.

"The assault on Saritha and Vijaya is not just an attack on individuals but a direct assault on the freedom of the press," Ali stated. "We demand that those responsible be held accountable and that measures be implemented to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future."

KT Rama Rao, working president of the BRS, has already voiced his condemnation of the attack, questioning the government's commitment to press freedom. The association is also calling for coordination with the Telangana State Women Commission to ensure that appropriate actions are taken against the perpetrators.

The Telangana Journalists and Reporters Association's call to action includes:

1. A comprehensive and impartial investigation into the assault on Saritha and Vijaya.
2. The registration of cases and arrest of those responsible for the attack.
3. Implementation of measures to safeguard journalists and uphold press freedom.

This incident underscores the vital need for protection and support for journalists as they carry out their crucial work. The association's urgent plea for justice highlights the broader issue of ensuring the safety of media professionals in the face of political pressures and violence.

As the investigation progresses, the eyes of the public and media will remain focused on how authorities address this serious violation of press freedom and the rule of law.