MP Govt committed to maintaining journalist's dignity: Chouhan

Bhopal, May 21 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today visited Hindi magazine India Today's (Madhya Pradesh) Bureau Chief Ambreesh Mishra, who was severely beaten up by police and anti-social elements at Alkapuri area in the state capital last night.

Mr Chouhan visited Mr Mishra and his friend Praveen Sisodia at hospital, where they were admitted after the last night's incident.

Asserting that the government was committed to maintaining dignity and honour of journalists, he directed Deputy Inspector General of Police Anuradha Shankar to arrest culprits and taken strict legal action against them.

Earlier, Director General of Police A R Pawar had visited Mr Mishra.

Police constable Mahendra Pathak, hostel director Brajesh Shukla and hostel accountant Abhay Ojha were arrested today in this connection, while Assistant Sub-Inspector Prem Shankar Singh was suspended.

A case of attempt to murder had been registered against the accused.

According to a press note issued by the state police headquarters, Mr Mishra and Mr Sisodia had advised a group of boys to not stand outside a girls hostel. On this, the hostel guard called the hostel director Brajesh Shukla.

Mr Mishra informed the hostel director that some boys were standing outside the hostel.

However, Shukla, Abhay, hostel guard and constable Mahendra Pathak, who was on leave, unleashed a deadly attack on Mr Mishra and beat him up with sticks. Mr Mishra was severely injured and admitted to J P Hospital.

UNI