Mediapersons boycott assembly in protest against assault

Jaipur, Apr 5 (UNI) Mediapersons here are boycotting the Assembly proceedings today and sitting on dharna in protest against assault on a TV journalist by policemen.

A private TV channel cameraman Sripal Shaktawat was shooting a sting operation yesterday at a private nursing home in Jhotwara area, which is alleged to be indulging and encouraging female foeticide, when he was allegedly beaten up by the doctors present there. Police, rather than intervening to help Shaktawat, are allegedly said to have sided with the doctors.

State home minister Gulab Chand Kataria has constituted a committee under Divisional Commissioner to look into the matter as the issue found echoes in the Vidhan Sabha when the Opposition Congress took up the matter.

But the mediamen, not satisfied with the constitution of the committee, are demanding a CID probe in the matter as they allege involvement of top police officials in the scandal. They claim one of the doctors allegedly involved isthe relative of a senior police offices.

Meanwhile, the incharge of Jhotwara police station Virendra Meena has been transfered by the IG O P Malhotra.

In the sting operation, a lady reporter posing as a patient reached the nursing home and was consulting the doctors, when the hospital authorities, sensing something wrong, broke the camera and manhandled the reporter. When she somehow managed to inform her colleague Shaktawat, he was also assaulted.

The police at Jhotwara police station put the reporters behind bars. When other mediamen gathered to protest, IG Malhotra and SP Vishal Bansal arrived and reportedly ordered all mediamen to be evicted from the premises.

However, the doctors concerned -- Dr Rekha Gupta, Dr Amita and Dr Sadhna -- have lodged a case of blackmail against Shaktawat, claiming he asked for Rs 10 lakh for not airing the shoot.

Shaktawat, meanwhile, has filed a case of being wrongful imprisonment by the nursing home authorities at the police station.

Rajasthan has one of the lowest sex ratios in the country, (922 girls per 1000 boys.) UNI RRT VD KP1503