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Journalist Vinod Verma's arrest evokes strong reactions, action likened to arrests during 'Emergency'

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Correspondent

NewsBits.in

RAIPUR: Journalist Vinod Verma's arrest by Chhattisgarh police has led to nationwide criticism. 

Verma, who has worked with leading newspapers in the past, was picked up from his Ghaziabad home at around 3 am.

Now working with Congress' media cell in Chhattisgarh, he was caught for allegedly having a CD of a BJP minister. 

Apparently, the action was taken so that there minister's reputation could be saved. The police claimed that it arrested him for extortion attempt. 

The opposition has questioned how police arrests a person though a minister is in dock over involvement in sex scanal. Congress has termed it an attack on journalistic freedom.

No wonder, the arrest has led to strong criticism of the Chhattisgarh police that has earlier also been accused of severe human rights violations in the state apart from arrests of journalists. 

Leading journalists said termed the arrest as an act similar to the journalists' arrests during the Emergency. The UP police insist that it had nothing to do with the arrest. 

Verma, a member of Editors' Guild, has worked with Amar Ujala and BBC in the past. AAP has also condemned the police action.