Bhubaneswar: Nabanirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS), a leading outfitting fighting for the rights of farmers in Odisha, on Sunday launched a massive ‘Satyagarha’ protesting the attempts by the State government to muzzle the voice of media in the State.
Akshay Kumar, the national convener of the farmers’ outfit came down heavily on the State government and condemned its vengeful action against OTV and the way its employees were harassed and arrested recently.
While talking to reporters, Kumar said, “It is disheartening to see how a leading channel in the State is being targeted. The way press freedom in the State is being suppressed is also very disconcerting.
According to Kumar, the number of attacks on media in the State has been witnessing an upward trend recently especially against the ones who are trying to expose corruption and other irregularities by the State government.
“We have launched the Satyagraha to protest the attacks on media which is the fourth pillar of our democracy. Not only Odisha, the media is under attack in different parts of the country which is very disturbing,” Kumar said adding that stern action should be taken against the guilty but police and State machinery should maintain civility.