Journalist assault: Mediapersons protests at PHQ, demands suspension of concerned official

New Delhi: Jolted with the assault and manhandling of colleagues by the Delhi police during JNU students march, Journalists and camerapersons organized a protest against the police and gathered at Delhi Police Headquarter on Saturday afternoon.

Scores of journalists and camerapersons gathered at PHQ and raised slogans against the Delhi police, ‘Delhi police murdabad’, ‘Journalist pe hamla band karo’ and so on. Even, photojournalist put their cameras into the feet of police officials.

On March 23, when JNU students marching towards Parliament and demanding arrest of professor Atul Johri, who has been facing allegation of sexual assault leveled by eight JNU students.

As the protestors reached Rajiv Jheel road (near INA) police tried to forcefully stop the JNU students with the help of water cannon and soon the area turned into battle field.

Meanwhile, as per the video of incident shows, the female officer assaulting and manhandling journalists and photojournalist of two national English dailies during the clash. Even police snatched the camera of a photojournalist of Hindustan Times who was capturing the entire incident. And even after 24 hours the police have not returned the camera.

Later she filed a complaint but police has not registered any FIR saying the probe of the incident is underway.

To register their disappointment, journalists and photojournalist gathered at PHQ for the justice of fellow journalist. They have been demanding to register an FIR against the police officials who had assaulted and allegedly molested the photo journalist, they also demand to return the confesticated camera and ensure safety of the media persons.

After half-an-hour of the protest, the spokesperson of the Delhi police, Depender Pathak met with the protestors and assured for action. “We have already initiated the internal probe and the report will be submitted within 48 hours. Delhi police will take action as per the findings of report.”

However, journalist collectively decided to protest again, if their demands were not met even after 48 hours.