Assault on television reporter who filmed lynching incident that killed two persons
Hafiz Muhammad Imran, reporter of “Dunya News” TV channel, Sialkot was assaulted by unidentified persons outside his residence on August 29, 2010. The attack was allegedly because on August 15, Imran filmed the beating to death of two brothers by an enraged mob. The mob then hung their bodies on the trees.
According to press reports, Imran was standing in front of his residence when two motorcyclists pushed him against a wall resulting in fracture of his shoulders. The attackers escaped when people gathered. Imran was shifted to hospital where the doctors gave him treatment for his injuries. Imran and his family members have been receiving severe life threats from unknown callers.
Imran said that on August 22, Pakistan Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik had ordered the police to provide security to him and other Sialkot based journalists, but no security has yet been provided to them.
On August 28, Lahore High Court Chief Justice (CJ) issued notices to the Punjab Police in a petition seeking protection to the reporter and cameraman who filmed the lynching. The petition was filed by Electronic Media Reporters Association (EMRA) that Dunya News reporter Imran and cameraman Bilal Khan, who covered the tragic episode, were facing life threats.
Sialkot journalists have expressed grave concern over the police negligence in providing security to journalists in Sialkot.
Hajipura Station House Officer (SHO) Rana Zahid said the police had arr ested ac tacking reporter Imran. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah strongly condemns the incident and assured that media freedom will be guaranteed at all cost. He said that the enquiry report of the incident will be made public.
Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Date:8/30/2010
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