Two scribes ‘allegedly’ beaten up by Municipal Corporation employees

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 17

Two persons working with the electronic media were allegedly beaten by some employees of the Municipal Corporation (MC) at the Zone D office in the afternoon on Wednesday. On the other hand, employees of the civic body accused them of abusing the Assistant Town Planner (headquarters), SS Bindra.

Hardeep Singh, who is working with a TV channel alleged, “I along with reporter of another channel visited the MC office for comments regarding a story on illegal hoardings. When I went to the ATP, SS Bindra’s office, he got angry after seeing the camera and we were beaten by the MC staff.”

“My camera and mobile phone were snatched by them. My religious sentiments were hurt and I was also kicked by them. We want action against Bindra and other MC employees concerned,” he alleged.

On the other hand, civic body employees alleged that the two mediapersons had entered into the room of the Assistant Town Planner (ATP), SS Bindra, and started making video without any permission.

Bindra said, “Former councillors and visitors were present in my room when they started making video. When these two persons were asked to leave the office, they started abusing me. In fact, they left their mobile in the office and camera outside the office. Moreover, they were no known to me.”

The Sarabha Nagar police said they had received complaints from both sides and investigation was underway. However, no FIR was registered in this regard till evening.

Meanwhile, mediapersons also staged a protest at the MC office and demanded action against officials concerned. Later, Hardeep Singh complained of illness and was taken to the Civil Hospital, said a journalist.