Minister apologises to scribes

Mysore, Nov 30 (UNI) Karnataka Forests Minister C Chennigappa today tendered an apology to the journalist community here for manhandling a Reporter of a local daily yesterday while covering the election campaign in Hadajana Cross of Chamundeswari Assembly seat.

Addressing media persons here in front of members of the Mysore District Journalists Association and Mysore Reporters Guild, he admitted that it was a mistake and most unfortunate incident. ''I apologise to you all and particularly to Kiran Kumar, reporter of Kannada daily 'Mysore Mithra','' he said.

Following the Minister's apology, the Association withdrew its decision to ban all Janata Dal (S) press conferences on their premises.

Meanwhile, JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda also wrote a letter of apology to the scribes of the Mysore District Journalists Association and Mysore Reporters Guild.

Mr Kiran Kumar had lodged a complaint with the Mysore South police station against Mr Chennigappa for having beaten him up while he attempted to click photos of the Election Commission officials checking the pass of the cars following the Minister at Hadajana cross in Mysore taluk.

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