Police Attack Journalists In West Midnapore, West Bengal

India: Police Attack Journalists In West Midnapore, West Bengal

At least 10 people, including many journalists, were injured when joint forces conducted a lathicharge on journalists covering the news of a raid on early Monday. Mustarul Haq, a journalist of Bengali news channel, channel ten was hit in the head by the butt of rifle. Diganta Manna, another reporter of Star Ananda channel was also hit in the head and chest by lathis of the joint forces, comprising of local police and CRPF police personnel. Many Trinamool Congress workers were also injured in the police attack. The journalists and Trinamool supporters were demanding an explanation from the police about their raids in a Trinamool Congress relief camp in West Medinipur district of West Bengal. Two people were arrested from the relief camp on charges of having Maoist links. The injured have been admitted to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital.
Indian Railway Minister and TMC chief, Mamata Banerjee has left Kolkata for West Medinipur. She is expected to reach the Midnapore hospital at night and stay there for the night. Miss Banerji accused the ruling CPIM Party for influencing thepolice to attack the opposition party's relief camp on the basis of fake charges. Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya expressed grief and ordered an inquiry into the incident. He defended the police lathicharge, saying the joint forces were obstructed from arresting the Maoists who had come from Silda and so conducted the exercise under the order of Anish Sarkar, DSP(Operations).
Tuesday will be observed as Black Day in West Medinipur district by the Trinamool Congress party to protest against today's police excesses.