Hyderabad: Hyderabad commissioner of police M. Mahender Reddy has asked TV channels to stop airing violent footage of the ongoing clashes in Karnataka, warning prosecution under the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
The top cop said that these footages might affect the ongoing Id and Ganesh festival celebrations in Hyder-abad and could incite violence in the city. Sources said that since many residents in Hyderabad were the natives of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the footage might outrage them.
“A large number of people are gathering in various parts of the city to celebrate, so the-se visuals might incite violence and create law and order issues,” an official said.
“In view of the large congregations of people expected on account of Bakrid and Ganesh festivities in the city, the managements of all the TV channels or cable TV network operators are advised to adhere to the programme code in the interest of maintenance of public order and peace in the city,” stated the order issued by the commissioner.
“It has been brought to the notice of the police commissioner that visuals having huge potential for inciting mob violence, which relate to the ongoing violence in Bengaluru, are being transmitted on TV networks in Hyderabad. As per the programme code under the Cable TV Networks (Regula-tion) Act, 1995, no program shall be aired on the cable service which is likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order,” said the commissioner. “The concerned managements are liable for prosecution for violation of program code under Section 16 of the said Act,” the order stated.
Issues can’t be settled on road, says Venkaiah
Information and broadcasting minister M. Venkaiah Naidu has appealed to the people Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to protect the life and property of people of either states.
“I fervently appeal to the people of both states to cooperate in ensuring peace and normalcy. Issues cannot be decided on streets. It has to be settled across the table or through court. Destruction of property is not correct. Violence and counter violence will only further complicate the matter,” he said.
Mr Naidu told the media here that violence would not lead to any solution at all and requested both states to take effective steps to check the violence immediately.
The CMs of both states have gone on record that they are taking all necessary steps. “I appeal to state governments and also leaders of various political parties in both states to take necessary measures to stop violence and ensure protection of people from the other state. The worst affected in such violence are the poor,” he said. He requested the media to observe rest-raint as continuously showing visuals of violence could aggravate the situation.
