TMC factions clash, journalists attacked

Two TV journalists were hospitalised with serious injuries on Friday after they were attacked while covering a clash between two rival factions of the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

“An agitation protesting the murder of a Trinamool leader grew violent and two journalists who were covering the event were attacked. They have been hospitalised with serious injuries. We have arrested three people in this regard,” Barrackpore Commissioner of Police Sanjay Singh said.

The incident occurred in Barrackpore when supporters of Trinamool leader Jitu Lal, who was murdered, Thursday clashed with a rival group. People carrying Trinamool flags later attacked the two journalists.

“Around 40-50 people attacked me with canes and bricks. They snatched my mobile phone and destroyed my camera,” said Astik Chatterjee, who received serious head injuries.
While the Trinamool has denied involvement of its party workers, opposition flayed the ruling party for “attacking the media”.

The Left Front wrote to Governor M K Narayanan seeking his intervention and a probe into the matter.

“Just by carrying party flags people do not become Trinamool workers. There is a difference between party supporters and party workers. Trinamool is not involved in the attack,” party general secretary Partha Chatterjee said.