Avantika Mehta

UPDATE: Three Newslaundry reporters detained by Delhi Police. Our reporters @AshwineSingh, @SavyasachiAstha, and @anmolpritamND have been detained while covering the October 10 protest. Delhi Police have also seized Newslaundry’s official phones, which our reporters were using to carry out their reporting duties. When the journalists identified themselves as media personnel, they were reportedly told, “Koi media nahin hai.” Around 30 people have been put into a single bus, including protesters and journalists. Our reporters have identified Inspector Dhan Singh Malik as the officer who snatched the phones. Journalists are there to report, not to protest. They were not obstructing police operations. On what grounds are they being detained and their phones seized? @DelhiPolice must explain these actions and allow journalists to do their jobs without intimidation.

📍Connaught Place Students hiding inside a public toilet to evade the police were detained after police personnel entered the toilet. When our reporter @anmolpritamND tried to ask questions, police officers stopped him. During protests at Jantar Mantar and other major demonstrations in Delhi, this is the first time the media has been prevented from interacting with protesters altogether. The police are also recording journalists themselves.