Journalists are our asset, says Bengal CM after NEET protest attack

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari condemned the assault on journalists during a protest over the NEET paper leak in Kolkata, assured strict action against those responsible, and directed authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured mediapersons

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday strongly condemned the assault on journalists during a protest over the NEET paper leak in Kolkata, describing mediapersons as “our asset” and assuring that those responsible had been identified and would face strict action.

Adhikari visited the injured journalists at the state-run SSKM Hospital in the evening, where several reporters and camerapersons were admitted after they were allegedly attacked while covering a demonstration against NEET irregularities and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

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“Journalists are our asset. They work by putting their lives at risk,” Adhikari said after enquiring about the condition of the injured mediapersons. He directed hospital authorities to ensure proper treatment for the journalists and said the state government would take strict action against those behind the assault.

“We have identified the attackers. Please wait; appropriate action will be taken,” Adhikari said. The chief minister also praised the conduct of the police during the protest.

“Today the police showed tremendous restraint,” he said. The violence took place during a march organised by Left-backed student organisations and the Cockroach Janta Party from Sealdah to Esplanade. A section of the protesters allegedly turned on journalists covering the demonstration.

A television journalist was attacked while reporting live from Dorina Crossing, where a group of youths allegedly surrounded him, shouted “loser, loser” and assaulted him. He was later admitted to SSKM Hospital. Several other journalists injured in the incident were also undergoing treatment there.

The Kolkata Press Club also condemned the attack, saying the targeting of reporters and photojournalists during protests was “an extremely dangerous trend” and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.

A section of the protesters, however, denied any involvement in the violence, claiming their programme was peaceful and asserting that those who attacked the journalists were not associated with the demonstration. Police were examining CCTV footage and other evidence to identify all those involved in the attacks, a senior police officer said.