Probe sought into police action on media in Haryana

Police action against journalists covering a stand-off between authorities and self-styled ‘godman’ Rampal in Haryana last year was “unprovoked” and “pre-meditated”, a media panel has said, recommending a judicial probe into the incident.

The panel, set up by the Broadcast Editors’ Association (BEA) to look into the incident, has recommended probe by a Supreme Court judge into the alleged assault by police on the journalists in Hissar district in November last.

In its report, the three-member committee has concluded that the police action against media persons was “unprovoked” and “pre-meditated”.

It said the police had acted against media persons as it did not want the use of force against women and kids to be recorded by the media for showing it on channels.

The panel emphasised that political executive should be sensitive to such incidents.

The BEA, a body with editors of leading news channels as its members, had constituted the panel shortly after the incident that occurred in November last year.

In its report, the three member committee said that it had met Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal, police officers, and also talked to the local villagers.