Allow media entry at Singhu, restore internet at protest sites: Delhi Union of Journalists

The Delhi Union of Journalists has demanded that the Delhi police allow the entry of journalists into the farmer protest site at Singhu.

In a statement issued yesterday, the union said reporters now have to walk "15 to 20 kilometres extra through village roads, sometimes by walking, to meet the farmers".

The statement said: "The Delhi police magnanimously claims that they have taken such a decision keeping in mind the security and safety of journalists. Reporters have been covering the protests of farmers since its beginning. There was no intimidation against objective reporting of the protests."

The union also cited reports on how the police have "denied basic amenities such as food and water to the protesters, besides removing toilets and shutting off electricity". It pointed out: "If the entry of reporters is banned and the internet shut down, the media will be unable to verify reports of conditions in the camps. Unconfirmed rumours will become widespread."

Urging the home ministry and the police to lift this "ban" on the media, it also called for the lifting of the internet shutdown at the protest sites.

On February 2, Newslaundry was denied entry to the Singhu protest site. While there was no "official" ban, police personnel said only journalists with "national media authorised press cards" could enter. A police inspector said, "Enough, now no more media people will enter."