The office of United News of India (UNI), one of the country’s oldest news agencies, was allegedly “forcefully” sealed at Rafi Marg in the national capital on Friday evening, triggering sharp reactions from employees who termed the move an “attack on press freedom.”
Photo:UNI
The office of United News of India (UNI), one of the country’s oldest news agencies, was allegedly “forcefully” sealed at Rafi Marg in the national capital on Friday evening, triggering sharp reactions from employees who termed the move an “attack on press freedom.”
According to staff members, personnel from Delhi Police carried out the sealing operation citing an order of the Delhi High Court. Employees alleged that the action was abrupt and that several staffers were evicted without being allowed to collect their personal belongings.
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The incident has raised serious concerns over press freedom, with UNI employees claiming that the manner in which the operation was conducted was coercive. Some staff members further alleged that female journalists were manhandled during the process.
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Employees also claimed that they were not given adequate time to respond or coordinate with the management, which they said was left outside the premises during the sealing exercise.
Allegations were also made that some personnel involved in the operation behaved inappropriately, including claims of abuse and misconduct.
The police action followed the dismissal of a petition by the Delhi High Court filed by UNI challenging the cancellation of its land allotment.
The matter relates to an order issued by the Land and Development Office under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which had directed the news agency to vacate the premises after cancellation of the allotment.
The development has sparked outrage among employees and raised broader questions about the functioning and protection of independent media institutions in India.
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