Pressmen block Jammu-Pathankot national highway at Jammu

Jammu, Aug 2 (UNI) Jammu-Pathankot national highway remained blocked for about two hours today as media personnel staged a demonstration against the alleged manhandling of a crew of a local TV channel by the staff of Directorate Health Services, Jammu, police said.

Media personnel blocked the Tawi bridge after their talks with Director, Health Services, Jammu Dr Jasbir Singh failed, sources said.

Reportedly, a cameraperson of a local TV channel was severely thrashed by the state Health services staff while they were shooting in the Directorate office of the department. The camera of the pressman was also damaged in the incident.

However, Secretary, Health Services K B Jandial has condemned the incident saying, ''this should not have happened.'' The Director, Health Services, Jammu has been directed to constitute a three-member committee to probe the incident and submit its report within two days.

''The guilty will not be spared,'' Mr Jandial told UNI over phone, asserting that besides apology the damage to the equipment of pressmen will also be compensated.

UNI