Lawyers attack media persons in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: Several journalists, an advocates’ clerk and a pedestrian were injured in stone throwing by a section of the advocates at the Vanchiyoor district court complex here on Thursday.

Tension prevailed at the gates of the complex after some lawyers attacked media persons who were leaving the complex. A vehicle of Asianet News was damaged in stone throwing. Anulal (Jeevan TV), Praveen (Jaihind) television, Ramakrishnan (ACV), Siyad (Media One), V. S. Biju (Mathrubhoomi News) Gopan Krishna of Chandrika and Rejiv of Kerala Kaumudi were among the injured. Cameras of Manorama News and Mathrubhoomi News were damaged.

The events started with some lawyers closing the media room at the complex and sticking abusive posters against journalists.  Television cameramen arrived on the spot following reports that the advocates had vandalised the media room. Some lawyers objected to video recording of the room. Women reporters were abused. Altercations between lawyers and journalists followed, leading to physical violence.

As the television crews were moving out of the complex with their vehicles as agreed to with police, some advocates closed the gates and attacked the media. Subsequently, media persons and others standing outside the gates were stoned.

The media persons staged a dharna outside the gates demanding action against the advocates responsible for the violence. Stones and bottles were thrown at media persons later in the evening also.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan said that action would be taken against the attackers.  The two professions were not ones to be at loggerheads.

Meanwhile, a judicial probe has been announced into violence at the High Court in Kochi. The Chief Justice of the Court would take decision on reopening the media Centre there.

Media persons were attacked in Kochi over media reporting alleged attack on a girl by a government pleader. Police had to use force to prevent advocates from attacking a dharna staged by media persons before the Court.

Update: An advocate Krishnakumari is also reported to have been injured in the melee.

(updated report)