Reporter and Cameraperson Injured in Tonk During Protest Coverage Incident

A violent incident unfolded in Tonk district, Rajasthan, where a reporter and a video cameraperson were attacked while covering a protest. The protest erupted after the arrest of Naresh Meena, an Independent MLA candidate. The mob left reporter Ajeet Shekhawat and cameraperson Dharmendra Kumar injured, and their camera was destroyed.

Shekhawat recorded a selfie video for his Delhi office, showing his injuries, including bleeding from his left eye. He reported that Dharmendra suffered a head wound and possibly a broken arm. Both were quickly taken to a hospital by colleagues for medical attention.

Security Measures and Medical Care

The Chief Minister's Office responded by instructing senior police officers to ensure the safety of the injured journalists. Additionally, the chief medical and health officer in Sawai Madhopur was directed to provide them with appropriate medical care. After initial treatment at a private hospital, they were transferred to Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur for further observation.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Minister of State Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, and media advisors Anand Sharma and Hiren Joshi visited the hospital. They checked on the journalists' condition and condemned the attack. The ministers assured that those responsible would face legal consequences.

Political Reactions and Ongoing Violence

Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed his condemnation of the attack on social media platform X, demanding strict action against the perpetrators. The violence had been ongoing since Wednesday evening when police attempted to disperse supporters of Naresh Meena, who is contesting as an Independent in the bypolls.

The situation escalated on Wednesday when Naresh Meena slapped SDM Malpura Amit Chaudhary during election duty. This incident occurred in front of camera crews, adding tension to an already volatile situation.

The journalists were attacked while preparing to interview Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena at the protest site. This highlights the risks faced by media personnel during such volatile events.

The incident underscores the need for ensuring journalists' safety while covering sensitive situations. Authorities have promised strict action against those responsible for this violent act.