Scribes demands arrest of CRPF men for assaulting colleagues

Jalandhar, July 27 (UNI) Members of the Punjab Press Club today gave 48-hour ultimatum to the government for arresting CRPF personnel involved in the attack on journalists here.

More than 10 journalists from electronic and print media were attacked with sticks by a group of CRPF personnel at Football Chowk here yesterday night when they went to the cover their misdeeds. The men in uniform under the influence of alcohol were demanding free booze from the contractor of the nearby liquor shop.

The CRPF personnel during the assault, gouged out an eye of a civilian, identified as Jagmohan, thinking him to be a journalist.

Even Punjab police officers, including SP Surender Kumar Kalia and DSP Mukhvinder Singh, who reached the spot, remained mute spectators to the onslaught.

Late in the night, police registered a case under section 307 of the IPC against 13 CRPF personnel.

Punjab Press Club president R N Singh, after a meeting with the members, demanded immediate arrest of the CRPF personnel, free treatment for Jagmohan in a better hospital, immediate suspension of SP Kalia and compensation for broken cameras.

''If government fails to respond to our demands, we will intensify our agitation,'' said Mr Singh.

UNI