The Hindu : Drop POTA case against Gopal: reporters guild

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 27, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Drop POTA case against Gopal: reporters guild

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI April 26. The Madras Reporters Guild has urged the State Government to drop proceedings under the Prevention of Terrorism Act against Nakkheeran Gopal. It has also asked the Assembly Speaker, K. Kalimuthu, to repeal the decision to refer three reports (on the House proceedings) published in The Hindu to the Privileges Committee.

The Guild's executive which met here on Friday resolved that the launching of a POTA case against Mr. Gopal was unnecessary and condemnable as the Act was intended for use only to fight terrorism. Expressing concern at the reported torture of Mr. Gopal in custody, the Guild said the Government was duty-bound to provide adequate protection to the detenu. The move to refer the news reports published by The Hindu to the Privileges Committee undermined the freedom of the Press, which was duty-bound to faithfully report the House proceedings. The people had a right to know exactly what happened in the Assembly. There was nothing wrong in reviewing the entire issue of House Privileges, to protect this right of the citizens, the Guild said noting that previously only words deemed `un-parliamentary' were expunged, but today expunctions occurred for other reasons also.

Our Erode Staff Reporter reports:

The Erode Press Club, expressing concern at the developments, urged the Centre to consider repeal of the POTA. A conference organised by the Erode Press Club also wanted the Speaker to drop the Privilege move against The Hindu.

Another resolution condemned the launching of a series of cases against Mr. Gopal and other staff members of Nakkheeran. It sought the transfer of all cases against Nakkheeran to the CBI.

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