GUJ condemns attack on photo journalist, seeks compensation, probe

Panaji, Jun 30 (UNI) Seeking a thorough probe into the lathicharge on a photojournalist of daily 'Gomantak' at Margao during communal riots on June 27, the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) today condemned the attack and sought compensation to the victim.

In a meeting, the GUJ also urged Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to constitute a permanent committee under his chairmanship to deal with the atrocities on journalists, to buttress freeedom of the press on the lines of its neighbour Maharashtra immediately.

The Union also condemned the lathicharge on Soiru Komarpant, the journalist who was discharging his official duty, when the cops were quelling rioters in the commercial city.

He was allegedly beaten even after he identified himself. This has become a routine practice for the police, the Union told the state Inspector General of Police Kishan Kumar through a memorandum and demanded that such attacks should be stopped forthwith and the guilty cops should be punished.

The copies of the memorandum were sent to the Chief Minister besides director general of police B R Brar and chief secretary J P Singh.

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