Cane-charge on media persons in Gurugram to be probed

The Haryana DGP on Wednesday ordered a probe into the lathicharge on journalists on September 10, when they were covering people's protest against the Ryan International School management over the killing of a seven-year-old student, police said.

Director General of Police (DGP) B.S. Sandhu ordered an inquiry into the incident, police spokesperson Ravinder Kumar said here in a statement.

A large number of people, mostly parents of students, had gathered outside Ryan International School in Bhondsi on Sohna Road here on September 10 to protest against the death of Class II student Praduman, who was found lying in a pool of blood near the washroom, with throat slit.

"The inquiry is being conducted by Deepak Gahlawat, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-Headquarters, Gurugram," Kumar said.

"If journalists have any evidences like videography/photos etc. about this incident, they may produce the same before the DCP, so that adequate departmental action can be taken against the erring police officials as soon as possible," Kumar added.

Several media associations, including Haryana Press Club, Press Club of India and social bodies have condemned the police action and extended their support to the victim journalists.

Condemning the police assault on reporters and cameramen, the Press Club of India on Monday said the media was "only discharging its duty, covering the protest outside the school," and added that the lathicharge on media persons "was uncalled for and unprovoked".

At least 50 people, including nine reporters and photo journalists, received injuries in the incident. The Press Club of India had demanded an "impartial inquiry into the incident and fixing of accountability for it".

On September 8, Praduman was found with his throat slit near the washroom of the school located in Bhondsi on Sohna Road.

Sohna Sadar Police Station in-charge Inspector Arun Kumar was suspended on Monday for using force against journalists, a senior Haryana government official said.

--IANS

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