Uttar Pradesh : Journalist attacked by mob for allegedly opposing use of loudspeaker in Noida
A journalist of a Hindi news channel was allegedly attacked and killed by a mob after he complained to the police about the use of loudspeakers during a religious program late on Sunday (April 10) in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida city, adjacent to the capital Delhi. A case of threatening the family has come to the fore.
Journalist Saurabh Sharma has alleged that in the presence of the police, people in the crowd called him ‘anti-national’ and ‘Pakistani’. His wife was also allegedly abused.
The incident took place late Sunday night at the Oxford Square Supertech Enclave-3 Society of Noida. Some people of the society had organized (mother’s) Jagrate. During this, devotional songs were being played from loudspeakers till late at night.
Journalist Saurabh Sharma says that at 11:30 pm on Sunday night, he had called the police and complained about playing songs with loudspeakers till late in the night.
The journalist alleges that when the police reached the spot and asked them to switch off the loudspeaker, the crowd involved in the Jagrate became aggressive.
The organizers claim that they took permission from the police to use loudspeakers till late night during the event.
Saurabh Sharma alleges that when he asked the organizers of Jagrate to show permission order for the use of loudspeakers, the mob attacked him.
The journalist claims that he was called a Pakistani and the mob followed him till the house. When he reached near his house and sought help from the gunman present there and shouted and called the neighbors, the crowd turned back. However, before this, he was thrashed and threatened to kill his family as well as walk naked.
After this, the victim journalist lodged a complaint with the local police station regarding the attack.
The journalist says that when his wife contacted senior police officers and said that there was danger, some policemen were sent to the spot. The policemen who reached the spot called Saurabh’s wife Ankita Sharma, after which the mob also misbehaved with his wife.
Police and Oxford Square’s Resident Welfare Association (RWA) President KD Singh intervened and tried to convince the people and saved his wife from the mob. During the ruckus of the crowd, Ankita’s six-year-old child remained in the midst of the people and for about 45 minutes, the child kept on bothering to go to his mother.
Journalist Saurabh pleaded with the police officers that his wife and six-year-old child were in danger of life and the accused should be caught, but this could not happen till late Monday night. However, on Tuesday, the Noida Police Commissioner tweeted and assured action.
Noida Police Commissioner tweeted that cognizance has been taken in this matter. He has said that complaints have been received from both sides in the loudspeaker dispute and the police is investigating and taking appropriate steps.
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GAUTAM BUDDH NAGAR (@noidapolice) April 12, 2022
Noida Police Commissioner said, “On receiving the information, the loudspeaker’s sound was reduced after reaching the spot. After this, a complaint was received from the victim journalist that he had received death threats. He was abused. The police have examined the video footage regarding this, but the situation has not been clarified from it. Due to this, the organizers and others are also being questioned.
He tweeted and said, ‘In the application given by the organizers of the Jagrate and the people present there, it has been said that the caller (journalist) came to the Jagran under the influence of alcohol and abused the people and committed indecency. The police station Bisrakh is investigating on the complaint of both the parties.
