Sent by SahilOnline
Bhatkal, Uttar Kannada, Jan 19: A concerted campaign has been launched by a section of the press in the last few days to defame the town and people of Bhatkal and there seems to be no end in sight for this vicious campaign, says a press release from the media-watch committee of Majlis-e-Ishal-wo-Tanzeem, Bhatkal.
The committee has issued a press release condemning this biased and baseless reporting. It may be pointed out that some section of the press carried unsubstantiated reports stating: "Terrorists are hiding in Bhatkal...", "Suspected terrorist held in Bhatkal..", "Smuggling of arms in Bhatkal... "Accused of Delhi Bomb blast hid in Bhatkal".. "Bangalore terrorist attack and Police raid in Bhatkal".. "Osama bin Laden visited Bhatkal". One cannot understand the motive of some section of Kannada press in resorting to such baseless reporting and how it stands to gain from the same.
The press release also stated that top brass of police IGP western range Suresh Babu, Uttara Kannada SP S Ravi, DySp Chandrashekar Prasad and circle inspector C T Jayakumar have rebutted allegation about any ISI activity in Bhatkal or Uttara Kannada district. They also refuted reports claiming the presence of terrorists hiding in the region. Earlier also Police high command denied such activities and appealed to everyone to not create an atmosphere of fear.
The press release which was issued by Majlise-Islah-wo-tanzeem, Bhatkal president Syed Muhiddin Barmawar and its general secretary and also media watch committee convener Dr Haneef Shabab asked what terminology could be coined to refer to this campaign to malign an entire community by alleging Bhatkal to be a centre of anti-national activities. It also questioned the legitimacy of such vicious campaign and asked the implication of such a concerted campaign to project Bhatkal as anti national. Also, it asked as to what would be the bearing of such baseless but grievous reports claiming Osama bin Laden's alleged Bhatkal visit? What is the intention in time and again highlighting the alleged discovery of AK-47 and other arms from the graveyard when such an allegation has already been proved to be false in the court of law? Who is out there trying to prove the police and other security agencies as incompetent? Why is it that some people are hell-bent on painting the peace-loving community of Bhatkal as anti-socials?
The press release demanded a high-level investigation into this conspiracy. It has also appealed to other organizations and individuals to take strict note of the happenings and condemn the activities of these select few reporters. Tanzeem also appealed to the honest correspondents to come forward and try to stop this propaganda and by doing this create an atmosphere conducive to peace in Bhatkal.