Fast Called off After Ashok Assures of Withdrawing Cases Against Soorinje
Bangalore, Jan 7 (The Hindu): Journalists who launched a fast here on Saturday seeking the release of Kasturi Newz24 journalist Naveen Soorinje called it off on Sunday evening after Deputy Chief Minister R. Ashok assured them of withdrawing the cases against him.
Addressing the protesters at the Freedom Park here, Ashok, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that he had directed the police to withdraw the cases against Soorinje.
He added that the matter would soon be taken up by the Cabinet.
He, however, said that cases involving the other accused persons would remain untouched. “Only those cases against Soorinje will be withdrawn,” he added.
Meanwhile, Litterateurs Baraguru Ramachandrappa and S.G. Siddaramaiah lent support to the agitation on Sunday. Ramachandrappa said that it was shameful that journalists had to stage a protest to secure the release of a colleague who was only doing his job of reporting an incident. He also condemned the police for booking cases against him.
A host of organisations, PUCL, SFI, KSRTC and BMTC Employees Union, Praja Pragathi Vedike, Alternative Law Forum, Dalit Sangharsh Samiti and Komu Souharda Vedike, too extended support to the cause with their members turning up the protest venue.
Cases against other accused will not be withdrawn, said the Home Minister.