GoSL preparing for crackdown on journalists and social media: SJB MP Bakeer Markar

COLOMBO (News 1st): Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar on Friday (Nov.20), accused the government of preparing for a crackdown on journalists and social media. "The rate of arrests made with regard to those who are critical of the government has risen in the past few days. This is an alarming situation. I have received information that a list of close to 200 names has been handed over to Police, to be arrested," SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar told Parliament on Friday (Nov. 20). While pointing out that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as a young leader fought and advocated for Human Rights, the SJB Parliamentarian said, today the government is targeting journalists and social media activists who are critical of the government's stance. SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar who once served as the Minister of Media between 2001 and 2004 requested the government not to move in this direction and emphasized that people will not approve such paths towards autocracy. "Don't move in this direction. The people in this country will never bless a path towards an autocratic leadership. Take India for an example, Indira Gandhi's Congress Party was defeated by a majority in 1976 for attempting to follow a path towards autocracy," SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said.