India, March 12 -- Journalists covering news related to the Odisha Assembly staged a protest today after being barred from carrying mobile phones inside the press gallery. The decision led to a boycott of the Assembly proceedings by the media persons, who later staged a dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises.

As per reports, the journalists were handed envelopes at the entrance and instructed to deposit their mobile phones before entering the press gallery. This move triggered strong opposition from journalists, who argued that mobile phones are essential for real-time reporting.

"This ban restricts press freedom, a cornerstone of democracy. Carrying out our work without a mobile phone is not possible. We urge t...