GANGTOK: March 13: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Spokesperson Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, visited the Office of the Superintendent of Police (SP), Gangtok District, today to submit a formal representation regarding the recent harassment of a journalist at the STNM Hospital in Sochygang.
The SP office was represented by the Superintendent of Police and the Additional Superintendent of Police, Gangtok district. The primary objective of the visit was to seek an official clarification on the Police Department’s stance following a controversial incident where a police officer reportedly obstructed a journalist from performing his professional duties in a public space.
During the meeting, Bharatiya Janta Party raised critical questions regarding the constitutional rights of the press in Sikkim.
The BJP emphasized that such obstructions are not only an attack on the individual journalist but an affront to the “future of a transparent society” and the accountability of public institutions.
In response to the representation, the SP Office provided the following clarifications:
• The SP office categorically stated that it firmly believes in the freedom of speech and expression and holds the media fraternity in high regard as the fourth pillar of democracy.
• The SP clarified that the police department had issued no orders or directives to obstruct any member of the press while performing their duty.
• Upon formal receipt of the BJP’s letter, the SP Office provided a verbal assurance that a thorough inquiry will be conducted into the conduct of the officer involved in the STNM incident.
The BJP maintains that the press must be allowed to function without fear of intimidation, especially when highlighting public service grievances. The party will closely monitor the promised inquiry to ensure that the rights of journalists in Sikkim are protected and that such high-handedness is not repeated,according to Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, BJP Sikkim Spokesperson.
The SP office was represented by the Superintendent of Police and the Additional Superintendent of Police, Gangtok district. The primary objective of the visit was to seek an official clarification on the Police Department’s stance following a controversial incident where a police officer reportedly obstructed a journalist from performing his professional duties in a public space.
During the meeting, Bharatiya Janta Party raised critical questions regarding the constitutional rights of the press in Sikkim.
The BJP emphasized that such obstructions are not only an attack on the individual journalist but an affront to the “future of a transparent society” and the accountability of public institutions.
In response to the representation, the SP Office provided the following clarifications:
• The SP office categorically stated that it firmly believes in the freedom of speech and expression and holds the media fraternity in high regard as the fourth pillar of democracy.
• The SP clarified that the police department had issued no orders or directives to obstruct any member of the press while performing their duty.
• Upon formal receipt of the BJP’s letter, the SP Office provided a verbal assurance that a thorough inquiry will be conducted into the conduct of the officer involved in the STNM incident.
The BJP maintains that the press must be allowed to function without fear of intimidation, especially when highlighting public service grievances. The party will closely monitor the promised inquiry to ensure that the rights of journalists in Sikkim are protected and that such high-handedness is not repeated,according to Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, BJP Sikkim Spokesperson.
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