Six media persons injured by Faisalabad varsity guards

Info minister, Pervez Elahi condemn attack  

FAISALABAD/LAHORE: Six cameramen and reporters of different TV channels were injured when the security guards of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad thrashed them with sticks.

The incident occurred as they were expressing their sympathies with Yousaf Cheema of Samaa TV channel. Reportedly, Cheema was covering the news item regarding the expulsion of six students by the university authorities outside Gole Chowk of the varsity. The security guards allegedly snatched camera and cash from him and his colleagues and also damaged the TV Channel DSNG van.

On receiving the information, the staff members of other TV channels also reached at the site. However, they were also maltreated and tortured allegedly by the university security guards. Some of them were seriously injured and rushed to the Civil Hospital.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb in a statement said no restrictions could be imposed on media in the country and the democratic government firmly believed in freedom of expression.

The state minister said attacks on media won’t be tolerated and promised an action against the culprits, adding that media had a role to promote about truth and transparency. PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi condemned the incident, saying police remained a silent spectator. He expressed complete solidarity with the injured media persons and said they had always opposed silencing the voice of media.

He said the scenes of pelting of stones and violence were an ample proof of the rulers continuing with their tradition of silencing the voice of media and torturing the journalists.