‘Attack on democracy’, says FCAAD on recent raids, arrests of journalists
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New Delhi: The Federation of Catholic Associations of Archdiocese of Delhi (FCAAD) on Friday strongly condemned the recent raids and arrests of certain select journalists belonging to news portal NewsClick, calling it an attack on the fourth pillar of democracy.
FCAAD President and national coordinator of the United Christian Forum A C Michael, in a press statement, said that the association is appalled and worried about the declining freedom of press as the next general elections come closer.
The news portal is well known for focused writing on various struggles and issues of the marginalized sections of society including disabled people, he said.
As a matter of fact, one of the detainees is a polio survivor and person with a disability who uses crutches. As a person with a disability, he has a right to be protected from inhuman treatment and torture, he added.
FCAAD also demanded reasonable facilities to be provided to such persons and pointed out how late Father Stan Swamy went through a similar situation and lost his life while in prison.
It was on Tuesday NewsClick founder and editor Prabir Purkayastha and human resources chief Amit Chakravarty were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
They were arrested after extensive raids in connection with an investigation into whether the news outlet had received funds from China.
Searches were carried out by the Delhi Police's Special Cell at over 100 locations in the capital city and the neighbouring areas of Noida and Ghaziabad based on the case registered on August 17.