Mangalore : Former Union Minister B Janardhan Poojary said that the district congress condemn the arrest of Kasturi TV reporter Naveen Soorinje has been arrested by the Kankanady rural police, in connection with the July 28 attack on a birthday party at ‘Morning Mist homestay’ in Padil on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.

Speaking at the press meet held at Press Club on Nov 8, Thursday, he said that Naveen and other camera men were the strong witness for the episode of homestay attack, hence in order to wash out the witness of the incident, the government is playing a new game arrest in various case.

He also said that if the media persons were not present on the spot, then the matter would not be revealed in the society at all. Such kind of instances has not taken place in any other state.

Speaking on the freedom, he said that media has given the freedom of speech and expression in the constitution. But the government and the police department is trying to assassinate the constitution.

Naveen in his statement had informed that he had informed the police in advance. The police must act on the information quickly and the media persons are not the police informer, he said.

Poojary said that Naveen and his colleague has done a good job and thought of honouring them during next Dasara Festival, but Naveen had requested to reward the MSEZ affected people of Kudubi community instead of him and it will be done.

He also said that the police who charged section against them must be arrested. The police department is acting like the government agent and trying to hide the incident. If media was not present, the government would change the whole situation.

Home Minister R Ashok had told to take action against the accused and cancel the charges against the media personnel, but nothing has been done so far, he added.

Congress leaders like Vijaykumar Shetty, Arun Coelho and Kallige Tharnath Shetty were present.