Srinagar, Dec 26 (GNS): At least three journalists were allegedly thrashed by an army personal during a function held under the banner of ‘Jashn-e-Baramulla’ in north-Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday.
Reports reaching GNS said that the incident occured as Chief Guest to the occasion Amisha Patel (Bollywood actress) was approached by local journalists for an interaction. However in the meantime an army personal flanking the actress allegedly went berserk, assaulting three journalists covering the event.
The assaulted journalists included Online Editor for Kashmir Dispatch Suhail Khan, Kashmir Crown correspondent Ashiq Mir and another journalist working with News18 network Mudasir Ahmad.
“It is quite appalling that even after formal invitation to the ceremony, we were beaten up for no guilt of ours”, an aggrieved journalist said adding “So much so that even our equipments were not spared while were dispensing our professional duties.”
The incident saw participating journalists dodging the event even as demanding an explanation from the army for this ‘appalling and awful attitude.’
“We seek an explanation from the organisers as to know where did we went wrong”, another aggrieved journalist said adding “Whatever happened with us is quite appalling and awful to say the least.”
Meanwhile later in the evening a senior Army officer termed the incident ‘unfortunate’ even as assuring ‘strict action’ against the soldier allegedly involved in the act.
“This is an unfortunate incident which should not have happened at the first place”, the officer said adding that “I assure all the aggrieved journalists that a team will be constituted to enquire into the whole incident for a satisfying and genuine resolution.”
“If the allegations find merit, the personal involved in the act will be dealt with sternly” the official maintained. (GNS)
