ITANAGAR, Sep 20: Home Minister Kumar Waii on Wednesday assured to take action against the two police personnel who on Tuesday assaulted a journalist while the latter was on duty.
The assurance from Waii came when the state’s press fraternity, led by Arunachal Press Club President Chopa Cheda, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists President Amar Sangno and Arunachal Electronic Media Association President Mukul Pathak called on the Minister at his office here on Wednesday and submitted a representation demanding stringent action against the police personnel.
“I am well aware of the situation, and appropriate action will be taken against the jawans if they are found guilty,” said Waii.
He said departmental inquiry has already been initiated against the duo.
“The outcome of the inquiry will be communicated to the media fraternity by Thursday,” the minister assured.
The press bodies have demanded strict and immediate departmental inquiry to be initiated into the matter. They have also requested the Home Minister to initiate steps to sensitize police personnel on maintaining a cordial relationship with media persons and the public, so that such incidents do not recur.
Mongpong Natung, reporter with the Arunachal News 24X7, was on Tuesday assaulted by a policeman when he was covering the AAPSU bandh at Bank Tinali area.
A policeman in civil dress, who was later identified as head constable Ravi Singh, stopped Natung from covering the clash between security forces and the protesters, and snatched his press identity card along with his video camera, before hitting Natung.
Singh then handed over the ID card and the camera to another policeman, identified as Sub-Inspector A K Singh, who deleted all the footage from the camera.
Although the news channel had lodged an FIR in this regard, the Itanagar Police Station is yet to register it.
