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Curb on journalists despite CM Pinarayi Vijayan's assurance

There were allegations that the police failed to contain the clashes.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has promised protection for journalists on duty, it seems restrictions will be imposed on their entry into court on Friday. Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner Sparjan Kumar said the entry of journalists into court premises will be restricted on Friday. "We have received directions that journalists should be restricted to avoid untoward incidents. Since the lawyers boycotted court proceedings on Thursday, there was not need for journalists to come to court," he added.

Meanwhile, in Kollam, the sentencing of Aadu Antony in police officer Maniyan Pillai's murder case is scheduled for Friday and the police have assured protection for mediapersons who turn up to report the proceedings. However, police sources said that owing to the tension between journalists and lawyers, the court may postpone the proceedings. There were allegations that the police failed to contain the clashes.

Even as stones and liquor bottles were pelted at journalists, the police team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Shiv Vikram refrained from entering the court premises and controlling the lawyers. While it was widely presumed that the police could use force inside court premises only with the permission of a judge, highly-placed police officials said that in case of a law and order breakdown, the police can enter the court premises without a judge's nod.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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