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Journalists covering repolling in Kota assaulted; BJP, Cong trade barbs
Kota, Sep 16 (PTI) Two journalists were allegedly attacked and had their mobile phones snatched while covering repolling in Ward 87 of the Kota Municipal Corporation here on Wednesday, police said.
Following the incident, the journalists and the victims staged a dharna at Mahaveer Nagar police station, demanding immediate action and arrest of the accused.
The incident took place around 1 pm near Booth No. 99 in Sector 4 of Mahaveer Nagar Vistar Yojana, where journalists Lokesh Joshi (55), a resident of Dadabari Vistar Yojana, and Anubhav Mittal (29) were covering the repolling.
In his complaint, Joshi alleged that he and Mittal were confronted by two men, identified as Manish Mahawar and Manish Khinchi, in the presence of former councillor Devendra Choudhary alias Mama Choudhary.
The duo allegedly manhandled the journalists, tried to damage their mobile phones and snatched one of the devices before throwing it away to prevent them from recording the incident, Joshi alleged.
He also alleged that Rs 3,000 kept in his pocket fell and went missing during the scuffle.
Police registered an FIR against the two accused under sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 126(2) (wrongful restraint) and 3(5) (joint liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Assistant Sub-Inspector Ramhet Meena has been tasked with investigating the case, police said.
“The statements of the victims have been recorded and they were sent for medical examination. Efforts are underway to trace the accused,” DSP Uday Singh said.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Sandeep Sharma and Congress Kota city president Rakhi Gautam reached the police station and joined the journalists in the dharna, demanding the accused’s arrest.
Sharma said BJP workers could never indulge in such an act and assured that the government would take steps to ensure the safety of journalists.
Gautam alleged that BJP workers were behind the assault and accused the party of trying to “terrify” people and the media.
The dharna was called off after police assured the protesters of action.
Earlier in the morning, BJP and Congress workers had clashed near the same Booth No. 99 during repolling, reportedly leaving a Congress worker injured. PTI COR APL
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.