New Delhi, March 21 Left leaders on Saturday condemned the Delhi Police's sealing of the UNI news agency's office, alleging that the move reflected intimidation of the press and high-handedness by authorities.
CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby, in a post on X, said a free press cannot function under intimidation, and authorities must ensure accountability.
"I strongly condemn the shocking conduct of the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces at UNI's Rafi Marg office, where journalists were allegedly dragged out and manhandled. Such high-handedness, denial of advance notice and time to gather personal belongings, and reported mistreatment, including of women staff, is unacceptable in a democracy and cannot be justified under the cover of a court order," Baby said.
"A free press cannot function under intimidation. Authorities must ensure accountability and uphold the dignity and rights of journalists," he added.
CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya accused the police of manhandling journalists during the eviction.
"The Delhi Police rough up journalists and employees and seal the UNI office in Delhi. Can the attack on the press get more physical? This police action must not be allowed to be normalised," he said.
The Delhi Police on Friday sealed UNI's office here, citing a high court order, even as the media organization termed the action an "attack on press freedom."
The news agency alleged that its female staff members were manhandled by the police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Sachin Sharma told