Two jawans suspended for assaulting journalist

The Odisha Police on Tuesday suspended one more jawan of India Reserve Battalion (IRB) on the charge of assaulting a journalist during a demonstration near the Chief Minister’s residence on Monday.

“We have suspended two jawans in connection with the assault on a journalist,” Director General of Police Prakash Mishra told reporters here after holding a marathon meeting with a delegation of journalists.

The DGP, who is probing the assault incident, said he will complete the investigation before completion of the budget session of the assembly on April 7.

In order to ensure safety of journalists covering rallies, demonstrations, the Commissionrate of Police would provide jackets mentioning media. “The media persons could be identified easily during any law and order situation,” DGP Prakash Mishra said.

The security personnel allegedly beat up a reporter near Naveen Niwas while he was covering a demonstration staged by Chhatra Congress.

Meanwhile, an advocate of Orissa High Court and human rights activist Prabir Kumar Das approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) through an application urging them to ensure a fair inquiry into the police assault.