TV
Kantabanjhi electrical SDO Jagannath Pati and Muribahal electrical engineer Chinmaya Sahu were arrested on Thursday in connection with the assault involving three journalists including the representative of the Odisha Television Network (OTV) in Bolangir.
Subsequently, Bolangir Police have forwarded both the arrested officials of the Electricity Department to the court.
Following the development, Bolangir SP informed that necessary actions will be taken against the arrested officials as per the provision in law.
As per the latest report, both Pati and Sahu have been suspended and sent to jail.
Meanwhile, many journalists from the Bolangir district have staged a protest in front of the Titlagarh Police Station demanding the arrest of the other accused.
“We strongly condemn the attack on the journalists. We demand the enactment of the Journalists’ Security Act in the State. We also demand stern action against the persons who have attacked the journalists. They should be dismissed from their jobs,” said Kantabanji Press Club President Prabhjit Singh Saluja.
Jagannath Pati was accused of assaulting the journalists while they were reporting on a tragic incident involving a fatal electrocution mishap on Wednesday.
Read Must: OTV journalist assaulted by Electricity Dept assistant engineer
According to sources, Pati was busy in a feast rather than being on duty. He got aggrieved when the journalists approached him at the feasting site as part of news coverage.
Pati allegedly attacked the reporters, including the one from OTV while the journalists were filming their segment.
As per reports, a serious altercation erupted as the reporters were trying to gather Pati’s comments on the death of a man who died earlier in the day after coming in contact with a live 11 KV wire.
OTV journalist Abinash Nanda visited the Electricity Department to seek the official’s statement. However, Pati was not present in the office and was allegedly found feasting outdoors.
Upon approaching Pati for his comments, the official reportedly responded with aggression leading to the altercation that was captured on video. Subsequently, the journalists lodged a complaint about the incident with the local police.
