[Watch] Massive protest by journalists condemning attack on media in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: A massive protest was staged today by the journalists in front of Esplanade One condemning attack on a woman journalist and cameraman at the shopping mall yesterday.

The media persons of television, web channel as well as print launched stir demanding stern action against the shopping mall staff, who allegedly beat up the woman journalist and cameraperson while they were covering a report live on illegal parking fee collection.

Sitting on dharna, they also demanded to bring a law for protection of journalists. They also pitched for safety of women journalists, who are in tough industries like media.

Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Kumar Sahoo reached the protest site and tried to convince the journalists to withdraw the strike. He assured the protestors of taking stern action against the accused persons.

“Group attack on a working woman journalist at Esplanade One shopping mall is condemnable and a case has been registered in this regard at Sahid Nagar Police Station. We are taking up the issue seriously and stern action will be taken against the culprits,” DCP told media after discussing with the protestors.

He said that two persons have been arrested so far and an officer of Additional DCP rank has been assigned to probe into the incident.

“We are verifying the CCTV footage and we have some eyewitnesses in the incident. Action will be taken against the abettors and instigators in the incident as per the law,” Sahoo added.

Talking about illegal parking fee collection by the mall, DCP said, “The shopping mall had moved to Orissa High Court in this regard. We will review the court order and BDA, BMC and Police Commissionerate will take further course of action.”

However, the protestors denied to leave the place till their demands are met.

“We will continue protest sitting in front of the shopping mall till the police meet our demands,” said the agitating journalists.

Yesterday, two on-duty journalists including a woman were allegedly assaulted by security guards of Esplanade One, a renowned mall in Bhubaneswar, while they were reporting a story on illegal collection of parking fee at the shopping mall.

Around 10-12 security guards thrashed the woman journalist Swati Jena and cameraperson Pramod Mohapatra – both are working with Argus, a private web channel – and locked them up inside a room. They allegedly take the boom away and tried to damage the camera for the live coverage.