AAP attacks SAD for gagging media in Punjab, supports freedom of Press

CHANDIGARH: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today flayed the ruling party Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) for gagging media and harrassment of journalists and social media activists in Punjab. Bhagwant Mann Member Parliament from Sangrur while addressing a press conference here at Press Club said that journalists and social media activists were being targeted and being threatened through police. He said that incident of Patiala jail involving Kanwar Sandhu was recent incident where police looking for clues to involve Sandhu. He said that Kanwar Sandhu as a journlist had every right to seek information which is of public interest. Accomoanied by Himmat Singh Shergill, legal cell incharge and Harjot Singh Bains state youth wing president, Mann said that Punjab Government was trying to divert attention from core issue of fake encounters raised by Gurmeet Pinky a former police occicial and police cat. He said that Badals shall order an inquiry into killings of 50 youth in fake encounters as identified by Pinki. He questioned the Chief Minister for not ordering any inquiry into allegations of Rs.50 lakhs paid by Pinki to get reinstated in police.Bhagwant Mann said that while police failed to register timely FIR against guilty policemen in babbehali police firing and Abohar murder case, it shown undue haste in registering case against Canada based journalist and social media activist Baltej PaNNU. He said that Pannu was targeted for his FB posts against the misdeeds of present government.Mann said that Badal family had captured control over electronic media and no channel is allowed to operate in Punjab if it would not follow the dictat of state government. He alleged that no news criticising the present government was allowed to be aired. He said that this government didnt allow Day and Night and ABP Sanjha TV channels to run the show in Punjab. It was not only an attempt to curb freedom of press but also led to unemployment among the qualified journalists. He said that PTC news channel was only showing sponsored news and conspiring to blame AAP leaders.Mann said that when AAP forms government, it would take firm decision on freedom of press and guilty persons who are gagging media would be sternly dealt with. He stated that AAP stands for freedom of press and would launch protest if any attempt was made to harrass media persons and social media activists.Himmat Singh Shergill joined to add that AAP has prepared a Red Book in which names of people harrassing media and social activisits were written. He said that any negative propaganda against AAP would damage the ruling party only.Meanwhile, a woman named Nancy Ghumman who claimed to be victim of Baltej Pannu tried to disturb the AAP press conference as she wanted to put her version of story in rape case registered against Baltej Pannu. She identified herself as victim of rape. She was in relationship with Pannu for two years before they fell apart. She however failed to reply why she chose to approach media at the AAP press conference and not any other political party.