A journalist was beaten up while videographing a quarrel between a few partymen and the owner of an eatery near the Raj Bhavan on Monday.
Promod Madhav of the television channel Mirror Now and his colleague Raja were covering the demonstration by the MDMK, the DMK, the VCK, the Left parties and other political outfits in front of the Raj Bhavan.
While crossing Little Mount, they saw a few persons ransacking an eatery and abusing its owner for demanding that they pay for what they ate there.
As Mr. Madhav recorded the ruckus, one of the party cadre hit him on the face, leaving his eyes swollen. The cameras were also smashed.
Assailant’s threats
Other journalists came to Mr. Madhav’s rescue even as the assailant issued threats to those who questioned him.
The police swung into action and took the assailant to the Guindy police station. Mr. Madhav was admitted to the Government Royapettah Hospital for treatment.
Based on a complaint from the journalist, the Guindy police registered a case against the attacker, identified as Suresh Babu, 48, of Venkatapuram, under Sections 294b (Uttering obscene words) 341 (Wrongly restraining any person), 307 (Attempt to murder) and 506 (ii) (Criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
‘DMK not involved’
DMK cadre had nothing to do with the attack on the journalist, party leader M.K. Stalin said, alleging that a section of the media was attempting to defame his party.
“Those who were behind the attack have been arrested, and no case has been filed against any DMK cadre,” he said.
