A journalist and a cameraman of Zee 24 Taas news channel were attacked by angry residents while covering an eviction drive at an illegal building built on CIDCO land at Digha in Airoli on Tuesday at 2.30 p.m.
The eviction took place in the presence of CIDCO officials, the Rabale MIDC police and a court receiver as per the orders from the High Court. When reporter Swati Naik and cameraman Sandeep Bharati entered the building, they realised that a group of residents was following them. They then took refuge in a flat and tried to hide from the mob. Bu the angry residents broke open the door of the flat and attacked them.
The cameraman sustained severe head injuries after residents assaulted him using his own TV equipment. Ms. Naik, who has high blood pressure, suffered multiple blows to her head and hand. While Ms. Naik was admitted to Indravati Hospital in Airoli, Mr. Bharati was taken to Jupiter Hospital in Thane for detailed scanning.
Assistant Police Inspector Amar Jagdale from Rabale MIDC police station said, “We have registered a case against unidentified people and have detained two. They will be arrested once Ms. Naik and Mr. Bharati identify the accused.”
