A photographer and a reporter working with a Malayalam newspaper in Malappuram, Kerala were allegedly attacked by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members on the morning of Thursday, 3 May.
While Fuad, a photographer with Chandrika daily sustained minor injuries, Shahabas Aman, a reporter with the same newspaper escaped unhurt. The attack happened at around 11.30 am, when a few RSS members barged into the Malappuram Press Club and assaulted them.
Shahabas told The News Minute (TNM) that the incident happened when Fuad and he photographed certain RSS members manhandling a biker in Kunnummal area, where around 200 RSS members were leading a protest march.
We were outside the press club and saw the protesters approaching from the Manjeri Road. On the same path, a biker was approaching the group of protesters, when the bike broke down. This led to a verbal spat between the two and eventually lead to some protesters beating him upShahabas Aman, Reporter, Chandrika daily
Fuad and Shahabas captured this on their phones, which agitated some of the protesters. The two rushed into the press club, followed by the protesters who allegedly snatched Fuad’s phone and destroyed his camera, before attacking them.
“There were some ten people and three had their faces covered, they even broke a few chairs at the press club”, Shahabas said.
Fuad and the biker Fawas, who sustained minor injuries were admitted to the casualty in Malappuram Co-operative hospital. Fuad later filed a complaint with the Malappuram police station in connection with the attack.
Confirming this, Sub-Inspector Binu told TNM, "We have taken statements from both Fuad and Fawas. The FIR will be lodged shortly."
The RSS protest march was in response to miscreants allegedly hurling explosives into the RSS office on the night of Wednesday, 2 May.
Even though a complaint was filed at the police station regarding the attack, Sub-Inspector Binu said that there was no evidence that it was a planned bomb attack.
Attacks against media personnel in Kerala is not new. Last year, a photographer from Kozhikode was attacked by Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI (M)) members, while he was covering a hartal called by the party. The party functionaries, later replaced his camera.
(The copy has been published in an arrangement with The News Minute)
(The Quint is now on WhatsApp. To receive handpicked stories on topics you care about, subscribe to our WhatsApp services. Just go to TheQuint.com/WhatsApp and hit send)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)