The Election Commission has asked for an inquiry into the incident where a journalist representing a leading English newspaper was allegedly assaulted and later kept in confinement by the supporters of Education Minister Tanveer Sait.
The incident happened when the reporter went to Narasimharaja Assembly constituency in Mysuru from where the Minister is seeking re-election. The Minister’s supporters not only manhandled the reporter, but also confined him to a room for nearly 20 minutes.
The reporter was also allegedly admonished by the Minister for having reported about a candidate of another party.
“An inquiry is under way,” said Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar on Monday.
The Mysuru District Journalists’ Association has organised a protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue opposite the Mysuru court complex at 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday to condemn the incident.
