
CALCUTTA, AUG 13: Close on the heels of Thursday8217;s assault on journalists at Writers8217; Buildings by workers owing allegiance to the CPIM-controlled Coordination Committee of State Government Employees8217; which left 12 journalists injured, seven journalists sustained injuries today when they were attacked by CPIM supporters. The incident took place at Uttarpara in Hooghly district in the morning.
The journalists had gone there to cover elections to the Uttarpara municipality. Three supporters of the CPIM had been arrested, Prasun Mukherjee, Inspector General of Police Law and Order told The Indian Express. One of the reporters working for a private TV channel is in a serious condition and he has been admitted to a hospital at Uttarpara.
According to Mukherjee, the trouble began when some CPIM supporters objected to 8220;the manner in which the reporter of the TV channel asked some questions to voters8221; in front of a polling booth. 8220;They alleged that the reporters were putting words in the mouth of the voters and the story was being manipulated in such a way that it was going against the Marxists,8221; Mukherjee said.
A scuffle ensued and the journalists present were beaten up, reportedly by the Marxists8217; supporters. Police intervened and restored order.
Taponayan Ghosh, secretary, Calcutta Press Club, condemned the incident and demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits. Journalists in Calcutta will observe August 16 as Protest Day8217; against increasing attacks on scribes. According to Ghosh, they would take out a procession and wear black badges on that day.