A group of anti-socials manhandled a photographer of the Kochi bureau of Madhyamam daily and shouted abuses on his colleagues who came to his rescue in front of the daily's office near the Convent Junction at around 8 p.m. on Thursday.
According to M.K.K. Jaffer, the city bureau chief, the incident occurred when photographer Baiju Koduvally who was on his way on an assignment asked the occupants of a car, which was parked blocking the way out of the office, to make way to take his bike out.
Six young-looking guys stepped out of the car in a flash and manhandled him without any provocation, he said. When the rest of the staff came to the rescue of their colleague they were severely abused.
As the traders in the neighbourhood rushed in, the attackers fled the scene in their car but not before threatening the staff. Police arrived at the scene following a complaint lodged by the bureau with the city police commissioner. A case has been registered.
Ernakulam Press Club has lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police (Ernakulam Range) B. Sandhya.
