Haryana Police to provide protective gear to media

Chandigarh, March 20 (IANS) Media persons on duty at sensitive places in Haryana will get body protectors and helmets to ensure their safety during violence, a top officer said on Monday.

Director General of Police K.P. Singh, who was in Fatehabad town to enquire about police personnel and media persons injured in a clash with Jat protestors on Sunday, said media people also required protection during mob violence.

Singh said rioters involved in the attack were being identified.

“The video footage of the incident is available and the faces of anti-social elements are clearly visible,” he pointed out.

He said para-military forces in the area assisted the police force that was under attack.

The officer met the injured at the Fatehabad Civil Hospital.

Over 20 people, including 18 police personnel and three media persons, were injured when Jat protestors moving towards Delhi on tractor-trolleys clashed with the police after being stopped for carrying sharp-edged weapons in Fatehabad district on Sunday.

Singh announced that the entire expenditure of treatment of the injured media persons would be borne by the district administration and they would also be given financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each.

“They would also be honoured at the state-level Independence Day celebrations on August 15.”

He said the media persons would also be compensated by the district administration for the loss suffered by them due to damage caused to their cameras and mobile phones and also for the cash snatched by the rioters.

“At times, both the police and the media have to work in difficult circumstances. We appreciate the bravery and courage with which the media persons and the police personnel faced the rioters.

“Had the police not acted wisely, many precious lives could be lost,” he said, specially praising the women police personnel injured in the incident.

He said the police personnel would be honoured for courage.