Scribe's thrashing: Lone dismisses charge

Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone today dismissed the charge of using his security personnel to manhandle a journalist but expressed willingness to tender an apology.
"I have all the respect for the general public and for the journalists in particular as I have myself edited a daily newspaper. And, if at all, the sensitivities of them are hurt, I am willing to tender my apology for the alleged act committed and as reported," Lone said in a statement here.
The minister said the story carried by Greater Kashmir about journalist Javaid Malik having been allegedly thrashed by his security guards has come as a shock and surprise to him.

"The fact is that a red car swiveled and slam-stopped in front of my vehicle and the driver of the vehicle rushed towards my car and tried to open the window of my vehicle.
"He was stopped by the security guards and taken to police station, Chanapora. I strongly deny my involvement in the alleged episode and have no objection if the journalist so desires to initiate inquiry and to ascertain facts," the minister said.
He said the Security guards do not carry orders from any Minister or VIP whom they escort but follow their own protocol.

"There is no question of my having used my security at any point of time in my long political career for any misconduct or any such alleged act. We uphold the dignity and honor of our people and it has never been our style to function as viceroys or dictators," he added.

Yesterday, the journalist Malik had alleged that a security man first passed "lewd" remarks at his wife and then was thrashed by several of them when he wanted to complain to the minister.
"I and my wife were going to buy vegetables from the local market when the Agriculture Minister's motorcade started honking relentlessly at Bagh-e-Mehtab. I allowed the motorcade to passage as soon as possible," Malik told PTI.
The journalist alleged that some guards of Lone, who was sitting in one of the vehicles, picked up an argument with him, saying he had taken too much time in giving passage to the motorcade.