Pune Police Detain Journalist Divya Aslesha While Covering Protest

Pune witnessed a significant protest led by Left activists in the Shaniwar Wada area, resulting in the detention of a journalist from Scroll, Divya Aslesha. The incident unfolded around 3:30 PM when Aslesha arrived to cover the demonstration, which featured over 50 participants, predominantly young women advocating for their rights.

As the situation escalated, police were seen forcibly removing protesters and escorting them onto buses. During this chaotic scene, Aslesha found herself targeted by the police, who attempted to detain her on two separate occasions. Despite her insistence on her identity as a reporter and her attempts to present her press card, the officers were adamant about her removal from the area.

Witnesses reported that the police presence was overwhelming, with estimates suggesting that more than a hundred officers were deployed to manage the protest. Aslesha described an alarming environment where multiple individuals were forcibly taken away without clear explanation for their arrest. After her initial release, Aslesha continued documenting the event, which prompted the police to once again insist on her detention, stating that she would not be permitted to leave.

Eventually, Aslesha was placed in a police bus along with the detained protesters for an extended period of approximately 30 minutes. Frustration and confusion loomed as neither she nor the other detainees were informed of their exact destination or the reasons for their arrest. The lack of transparency from law enforcement raised significant concerns regarding the treatment of journalists and the right to free press in India.

This incident has drawn attention from various quarters, including calls for Aslesha’s immediate release from organizations like the Editors Guild of India and Digipub India. The arrest of a journalist while covering a peaceful protest not only highlights the challenges faced by media personnel in India but also raises questions about the broader implications for freedom of expression in the country.

Source: scroll.in