According to reports, both the reporter and the cameraperson were forcibly taken away despite clearly identifying themselves as accredited media professionals. Witnesses said they were manhandled, pushed into a police vehicle, and had their professional equipment — including a camera, microphone, mobile phones, and even their identity cards — confiscated by the police. The IJU termed the incident a blatant attempt to obstruct press freedom and an infringement of citizens’ right to information guaranteed under the Constitution.
Expressing outrage, IJU President and former Press Council of India member Geetartha Pathak said the manner in which the journalists were treated reflected the “alarming levels of impunity” with which law enforcement agencies now operate. He stressed that detaining journalists despite their clear identification was unacceptable in a democracy. “The IJU views this as not merely an act against two individuals but an assault on the profession as a whole. This must not become the new normal,” he stated.
Echoing these concerns, IJU Secretary General and International Federation of Journalists Vice President Sabina Inderjit said the police had no authority to obstruct or criminalise journalistic work. She criticised the seizure of equipment, prevention of coverage, and humiliation of journalists as deliberate tactics aimed at spreading fear and discouraging free reporting. “The IJU demands an immediate inquiry into this shameful incident and strict accountability of the personnel involved. We also urge the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that such misuse of power is not repeated,” she said.
The Union reaffirmed its solidarity with the detained Lallantop journalists, stressing that the safety and freedom of the press are non-negotiable in a democratic society. It called on media organisations, press bodies, and civil society groups to unite in opposing what it described as an alarming attempt to silence independent reporting.
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