The scribes of Rayagada protested a decision at the Independence Day celebration banning them to take photograph of the event. They too were not duly invited and allowed to seat at the earmarked place.
The district level celebration was eng held at the Gobinda Chandra Dev(GCD) High School ground. Many journalists complained of not receiving invitation from the Collector-cum-Chairperson of the District Independence Day Celebration Committee.
They said that in spite of this though they had peacefully assembled, but the way they were told to keep off and made to stand at a place near a urinal, it was utter disrespect for them. They boycotted the event soon, took out a rally and picketed near the Gandhian Thakkar Bappa’s statue.
Afterwards they submitted a memorandum to I and PR Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh who unfurled the flag in the GCD ground as chief guest.
The memorandum included streamlining and finalising the process of health insurance for mediapersons, issuing identity cards, action against erring officials for I-Day mismanagement, etc. Arukh assured to initiate action within seven days.