ITANAGAR, Sep 20: Home Minister Kumar Waii on Wednesday assured to take necessary action against the two erring police personnel who on Tuesday had allegedly assaulted a journalist whilst the latter was on duty.

The assurance came after the state’s press fraternity under the leadership of Arunachal Press Club (APC) president Chopa Cheda, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalist (APUWJ) president Amar Sangno and Arunachal Electronic Media Association (AEMA) president Mukul Pathak called upon the Minister at his office here and submitted a representation demanding stringent action against the alleged guilty 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 who added that a departmental enquiry has already been initiated against the duo.

“The outcome of the enquiry will be accordingly communicated to the media fraternity by Thursday,” the minister assured.

Earlier, while condemning the incident in its highest terms, the press bodies in its representation demanded a strict and immediate departmental enquiry to be initiated into the matter against the police personnel.

Taking opportunity the fraternity also appealed the home minister to initiate steps on sensitizing the police on how to maintain a cordial relationship with media persons and also the public so that such incidents do not occur in the future.

One Mongpong Natung, reporter with Arunachal News 24X7 was on Tuesday allegedly assaulted by the police when the former was covering the bandh related news at Bank Tinali here.

A policeman in civil dress, who was later identified as head constable Ravi Singh had not only stopped Natung from covering the clash between security forces and the protesters but had also allegedly snatched his press identity card along with the video camera before hitting him.

Singh had then handed over the ID and camera to another policeman identified as sub-inspector AK Singh, who in turn had deleted all the recordings.

The FIR lodged by the victim against the police personnel at the Itanagar police station on Wednesday morning was also made available by the press bodies to the minister.  

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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