IWPC demands strict action against Assam policemen who beat up journalists

The Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) has demanded suitable and time-bound action against the police personnel allegedly involved in the beating up of journalists during a protest by Mizo students near the Assam-Mizoram border area in Kachurthal.
Taking serious note of the incident, the women journalists' body has written to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal urging him to ensure an atmosphere enabling journalists to carry out their responsibilities free of intimidation and fear.
According to accounts of the injured journalists, the police kept on beating them despite knowing that they were not protesters, the IWPC said in its letter, stressing the Fourth estate in the Indian Republic has a responsibility to report on a range of issues that include covering protests as well.

"The action by the Assam Police therefore was unwarranted and uncalled for. Several journalists, including a woman journalist with a television channel, sustained injuries in the lathi charge by the police.
"We demand that suitable and time-bound action be taken to identify the police personnel involved in the incident. We hope that your office will look into the matter with the seriousness it deserves so that journalists are able to conduct their responsibilities in an atmosphere free of intimidation and fear," the body said in its letter.