GUWAHATI, Feb 19 � Journalists� Forum Assam (JFA) has condemned the incident of physical assault on Anup Sharma, a city-based journalist and Pronib Das, a Dibrugarh-based photo journalist by a group of unruly youths near Maguri Motapung Beel under Guijan police station in Tinsukia district today.
Both the journalists had gone there as part of their training and workshop under the supervision of HICAP in association with nature conservation group Aaranyak. Both had gone to Maguri Motapung Beel as part of their study assignments�and preferred a boat ride with necessary payment to the boatmen there. �However, a group of local youths prevented them from taking the boat ride. When both the journalists tried to convince the youths that their presence were related to a study programme focusing on the problems faced by the local people, the youths got furious and suddenly started assaulting both Anup and Pronib verbally and later physically,� JFA said in a statement.
Both the journalists have lodged a complaint with the Tinsukia police in this regard. �While condemning such behaviour towards media persons on duty, we also appeal to the authorities to look into the matter seriously,� the JFA statement said.
The scribe body also appealed to the organisers of any events, where journalists are invited or engaged, to ensure the ambiance where they do not have to face such unruly people at least in their duty hours.
