By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Moradabad may be limping back to normal after the outbreak of violence however a local journalist is apprehensive about his life. District administration which failed to curb the violence in the initial stage is allegedly threatening to implicate him in the violence case. Afraid of the repercussion, the journalist has shot off a letter to Chief Minister, Minority Commission and journalist associations for saving his life.
As per Fareed Shamsi, the district correspondent of IBN 7 in Moradabad, the ADM City Avnish Kumar Sharma is conspiring to implicate him in fake cases for spreading rumour leading to riot. In his letter, Shamsi has narrated the sequence of events which led to riot in Moradabad and after that he has been receiving threat from ADM City.
According to Shamsi on August 7, he received information that some Shiv Sena activists were going to protest near Dal Sarai. He rushed to the spot for gathering news. The officials were also present there and the ruckus was going on there with the Shiv Sena workers bent upon going to Sambhal passing through Gali No. 1 in Katghar, a minority dominated area in Moradabad. However, police denied any new route and used light force to disperse them. Shamsi along with ADM City Sharma were standing at Gali No 1for keeping vigil on the situation. Suddenly one unknown person came and informed that some people are torching vehicles at India Export Firm. Shamsi requested the ADM City to send force for checking the authenticity of the report. However, it was turned down as a rumour. However, Shamsi along with Shaher Kotwal moved towards the India Export Firm and found that vehicles were already in flame. Police chased away the Kanwariyas there and controlled the situation. Shamsi stated that he was also instrumental in pacifying the locals.
On August 8, the Jalabhishek was peacefully performed in all temples. But on August 9 despite Section 144 in place, ADM City gave permission for a meeting of Hindu organisations near Dal Sarai. Thousands gathered there and ADM City was also present there. Later the mob turned unruly and started vandalising. However, DIG NK Srivastava controlled the situation but the incident took communal turn. Shamsi informed DIG Srivastava that if ADM City had taken preventive steps, things would not have turned violent. This perhaps irked ADM City and he told Shamsi that some people are taking your name in spreading rumour.
Now Shamsi claims that he is apprehensive that he may be implicated in any false case by the ADM City Avnish Kumar Sharma. Feeling afraid, Shamsi on 10th August has shot off letter to Association of Electronic Media Journalist, Chief Minister, Commissioner, Moradabad, Minorities Commission and IG Range for an impartial inquiry and his safety.
(Fareed Shamsi, District Correspondent, IBN 7, Moradabad. Shamsi can be contacted on 9837023428)
A copy of the letter written by Fareed Shamsi, District Correspondent, IBN 7, Moradabad, to Association of Electronic Media Journalists, Chief Minister and others