Srinagar, 26 MAR: The grand inauguration of Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar was overshadowed by an alleged assault on journalists at the entrance, sparking outrage in media circles. Reportedly, a ticket checker physically assaulted and hurled abuses at two journalists—Malik Faizan from Rising Kashmir and Mudasir from Jammu Samwad—as they attempted to cover the event.
“We were there to cover the event. The collector asked us to show our ID cards, and as we were about to do so, he used abusive language and called us robbers,” said Malik Faizan. “When we objected and asked how he could say such things, he lashed out in frustration and started beating us for no reason. We just want to know—was it our mistake to cover the event, or was he given the authority to decide who can enter and who cannot, and to thrash journalists?”
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the altercation escalated quickly, leaving the journalists shaken. The incident has drawn condemnation from the press community, with demands for strict action against the ticket checker.
The tulip garden, a major tourist attraction, was inaugurated amid a colorful display of millions of tulips, attracting visitors from across the country. However, the reported assault on journalists has overshadowed the celebratory atmosphere, raising questions about press freedom and the treatment of media professionals in public spaces.
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