CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) workers in an anti-farm-law march to the residence of Haryana chief minister here on Wednesday were accused of pelting TV journalists with stones before being pounded with water cannon and rounded up.
Electronic media journalist Satender Chauhan took head injuries in the attack. When the word got out, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s media adviser, Raveen Thukral, tweeted: “The CM has strongly condemned the alleged attack on some journalists by IYC, Punjab, workers. He has promised strict action against perpetrators of the violence. You’ve to lead by example and uphold the law.”
Before him, PYC president Barinder Dhillon tweeted: “Some nefarious elements at the site of protest tried to target the media and, to some extent, were successful in their plan. It is a shameful incident amid a peaceful protest. The IYC condemn this act and promises that if one of its own is found involved, he shall be expelled. We won't allow hate mongers to use our platform. We stand for free and fair journalism.”
Led by Dhillon, the protesters jumped barricades to continue their march to the house of Haryana CM against the treatment meted out to farmers in his state. When police used water cannon to prevent the gherao, they marchers reached Congress Bhawan in Sector 15.
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Dhindsa flays incident
The Shiromani Akali Dal (Democratic) also condemned the attack on journalists during the Punjab Youth Congress march in Chandigarh. Lehra legislator and former Punjab finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa of the SAD (D) said: “Congress activists targeted the journalists deliberately. The attack on any journalist is condemnable, as this is an attack on a pillar of democracy and the freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution. My party seeks action against the perpetrators.”