The two journalists, who were beaten up by an angry mob at Sigaranahalli in Holenarasipur taluk on Friday, say it will take them a few more days to get over the trauma.
D.K. Vasanthaiah and H.N. Krishna, working for two different state-level Kannada dailies, suffered serious injuries after they were beaten up by a mob of 15 people. The reporters had been to the village after they learnt about violent incidents following opposition by the upper caste to the entry of Dalits into the Basaveshwara Temple there.
“The group of around 15 people, including a few women, came rushing towards us as we got down the two-wheeler. On seeing our camera, they started beating us with sticks and attacked us with bricks also. They even chased us when we tried to flee from the spot,” said Vasanthaiah, who suffered injuries in his shoulder, back and legs.
Someone attacked Krishna, who was riding the two-wheeler, with a brick and his helmet broke. “I am glad I had not yet removed my helmet… else, I probably would have died,” he said and added that the mob pushed him to the ground and assaulted him.
Both Mr. Vasanthaiah and Mr. Krishna are being treated at the government hospital in Holenarasipur. They have filed a complaint with Holenarasipur police and demanded action against the people who assaulted them.
Six police constables, who suffered injuries when the angry mob threw stones, are also being treated at the same hospital.
