Lawyer’s assault media, Cameraman injured

BANGALORE: A cameraman of private television news channel was injured in front of the city civil court here when lawyers attacked media persons who had gathered to cover the production of mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy here today. Cameraman Nagesh sustained head injury when lawyers allegedly threw stones at the media men. He was rushed to the hospital. Lawyers were protesting against the private channels covering the event. Reddy was to be produced before the CBI Special Court Judge B V Angadi. Lawyers initially indulged in a wordy duel with media men and started pelting stones. In protest against the attack by the lawyers, the media persons present there staged a dharna in front of the court premises. It was alleged that despite more than 500 police personnel present to provide security cover no action was taken to pacify the lawyers who were attacking the media persons. Press Club of Bangalore President M A Ponnappa, strongly condemning the incident, urged the police to take suitable action against those involved in violence. An inquiry should be conducted and whoever had indulged in the attack against media men should be brought to the book, he said, adding the incident would be reported to the Press Council of India (PCI). Bangalore Reporters Guild President Prabhakar, strongly condemning the attack by the lawyers, urged the government to take immediate action against those who indulged in curbing the rights of the Press.