Bangla Press Desk: Delhi Police detained at least 12 journalists while they were covering a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the Indian capital, New Delhi—the second consecutive day of such demonstrations. Among the detained journalists was a reporter from *Hindustan*, an affiliate publication of the *Hindustan Times*.
The journalists were detained on Sunday while covering a protest called by the All India Students Association (AISA). Allegations of police mistreatment of the journalists have surfaced following the incident.
Ashish Singh, a 27-year-old reporter for *Hindustan*, stated that police detained him around 2:30 PM while he was covering the protest in the RK Ashram Marg area. He alleged that he was shoved and injured during the process, and that the police disregarded his media identification card, which was clearly visible around his neck.
"I was recording the detentions on camera when the police started pushing me," Ashish said. "They even struck me with a sharp object—possibly a special type of metal ring worn on the finger. I repeatedly told them I was a *Hindustan Times* reporter and showed my ID card, but they wouldn't listen."
He was subsequently forced onto a bus along with a photographer. Ashish maintained that he had kept his distance from the protesters and was not obstructing the police in the discharge of their duties, yet he was still subjected to mistreatment.
After remaining on the bus for about 20 to 30 minutes, he and the other journalists disembarked when the vehicle reached the Mandir Marg area. "I was afraid the police would snatch our phones and delete all the photos and videos," Ashish said.
**Photographer Detained While Taking Pictures**
A photographer from a national news agency, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was also detained by the police while taking pictures of the protesters being taken into custody. According to him, the police initially cleared away pedestrians before turning their attention to detaining journalists.
"Suddenly, the police shouted, 'Take him inside,'" he recounted. "Then, I too was shoved onto the bus." "I hid my memory card fearing that my belongings might be seized and the photos and videos deleted."
Among the other detained journalists were three reporters from 'Indian Express Hindi', a reporter from 'The Hindu', and several camerapersons from various digital media outlets.
However, the Delhi Police Public Relations Officer declined to comment on the detention of the journalists. Three journalists released after 45 minutes.
In a post on the social media platform X, 'Indian Express' stated that their three journalists were Shashwat, Siya, and Vijay. They were detained from the Connaught Place area and taken to Chhatrasal Stadium. They were released after approximately 45 minutes. The stadium is located about 12 kilometers away from the spot where they were detained.
Meanwhile, a female reporter from 'The Hindu' was also briefly detained between 6 PM and 7 PM. She was shoved onto a bus but was released after she identified herself as a journalist and protested.
Speaking from Connaught Place, the reporter said, "I was recording a video. Police personnel approached and asked what I was doing. Then they detained me. How can media personnel be detained like this?" Source: Hindustan Times.
BP/TD
