Reporter, cameraman of Asianet News attacked

Kochi, Mar 2 (UNI) A reporter and cameraman of Asianet News, a leading Malayalam television channel, were attacked by some goons, suspected to be hired by quarry owners, in Perumbavoor area of Ernakulam district this afternoon.

Reporter Ipe Vallikkadan and cameraman Firoz Khan, received some injuries in the scuffle and his camera was snatched away. They had been admitted to the Kozhencherry Medical College Hospital and would be brought here later tonight, Asianet News channel sources said.

Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police M Padmanabhan told UNI that police were searching for the culprits and some houses had been raided in this connection.

Meanwhile, Ernakualm Press Club President Antony John and Secretary P N Venugopal condemned the attack and demndeded speedy police action.

According to Asianet sources, the channel's mediapersons had gone to the area, around 1330 hrs today, where five people were killed in an accident in a granite quarry some time back.

The two were surrounded and manhandled by about 15 people, who objected to their taking footage in the area.

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