Three arrested in Kolkata for attacking journalists

Three activists of Hindu Samhati, a right-wing Hindu outfit in West Bengal, were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly attacking journalists at an event here on occasion of the organisation's 10th foundation day, a senior police officer said.

The officer also confirmed that Tapan Ghosh, the founder of the organisation who was present at the event in Kolkata's Esplanade area, was being interrogated.

"Three members of Hindu Samhati were arrested in the case of assault on media persons in Kolkata on Wednesday evening. We are examining Tapan Ghosh," Joint Commissioner of Kolkata Police (Crime) Praveen Kumar Tripathi said.

Some reporters and camera persons of local news channels were allegedly shoved and beaten up after they tried to talk to the members of a Muslim family who allegedly converted to Hinduism at the event.

State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the attack on journalists and said strict action would be taken against the offenders.

Police said they would look into the reports of religious conversion.

"We have heard that there was a case of religious conversion in public at the end of the event. We will investigate the matter," an officer said.

--IANS

mgr/qd/vm