Ludhiana – Independent MLA Simarjit Singh Bains and his 15 supporters were arrested by the Ludhiana police on Monday after a protest against the “suspension of services” of a Punjabi news channel by a cable network operator turned violent. In the ensuing scuffle, Simarjit’s turban was tossed, following which the protesters pelted the cops with stones.
More than 500 supporters, including women, of Bains gathered outside the Grand Walk Mall on Ferozepur road. Bains had organised the protest against the Fastway cable network accusing it of suspending services of Zee Punjabi news channel.
Sensing that situation could go out of control, cops from different police stations of the city were deployed in front of the mall housing the office of the cable network.
Team Insaaf alleged that a private cable network, Fastway, had blocked the channel as it had aired Simarjit’s views against the Badal family and Cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia.
Simarjit claimed that Fastway was muzzling the media by blocking channels that aired views against the Badal government. A confrontation took place outside the Grand Walk Mall, which houses the cable network’s office. The sloganeering protesters managed to make their way past the police barricade. Simarjit entered the building, where he was intercepted by a police team. Later, the cops resorted to a cane-charge. A reporter for an English daily was hit twice by a policeman. Journalists filed a complaint against the cop at the Sarabha Nagar police station, but no FIR had been registered till the filing of this report.
Simarjit’s brother Balwinder Singh Bains, also an Independent MLA, managed to escape police action.
Meanwhile, Fastway refuted the Bains brothers’ allegations on the blackout of Zee Punjabi. Fastway CEO Piyush Mahajan clarified that Zee channels in the paid category were available at new rates fixed by the Zee group.
Fastway’s version
Chief executive officer (CEO) of Fastway Peeyush Mahajan said: “We haven’t stopped relaying Zee Punjabi channel. The channel has been shifted to platinum package and HD network. There is no restriction on watching the channel”.
Media reporter roughed up
Hindustan Times reporter Harshraj Singh, who was present at the spot, was also cane-charged by police. The cops assaulted Singh even as he revealed his identity to them. Later, a delegation of media persons went to the commissioner of police office where they were assured of action against the guilty cops.