PTI reporter, cameraperson assaulted by mob in Tonk, camera snatched and burnt
Tonk (Rajasthan) (PTI): A PTI reporter and video cameraperson were beaten up and injured by a mob during a violent rampage in Tonk district on Thursday while they were covering a protest following the arrest of Independent MLA candidate Naresh Meena.
The attack left reporter Ajeet Shekhawat and cameraperson Dharmendra Kumar badly injured. Their camera was also snatched and set on fire by the mob.
In a selfie video sent by Shekhawat to the head office in Delhi, he could be seen bleeding from under his bloodshot left eye.
Shekhawat told his editors that his colleague Dharmendra suffered a gash on the head and his arm may be broken. Both were rushed to a hospital in a colleague's vehicle.
The two came under attack when they were about to interview Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena, who had gone to the troubled spot to assess the situation.
After the incident, the Chief Minister's Office instructed senior police officers to provide security cover to the injured PTI team. The CMO also instructed the chief medical and health officer (CMHO), Sawai Madhopur to ensure proper treatment for them.
After initial treatment at a private hospital in Sawai Madhopur, both the injured were referred to Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur where doctors have kept them under observation for a day. All necessary medical examinations were conducted by the trauma centre team.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Minister of State (Home) Jawahar Singh Bedham and the CM's media advisors Anand Sharma and Hiren Joshi visited the hospital to enquire about their well-being.
The ministers said that those who took the law into their hands will be identified and dealt with strictly under the law. Both the ministers condemned the attack.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot also condemned the assault on X and demanded strict action.
The violence has been going on since Wednesday evening when police tried to stop the supporters of Naresh Meena, a Congress rebel contesting as an Independent in the bypolls, from sitting on dharna.
On Wednesday, Naresh Meena slapped SDM Malpura Amit Chaudhary who was on election duty in full view of camera crews.
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Wayanad disaster relief: Kerala govt asserting its right, not seeking charity, says minister
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan on Friday came down heavily on the Centre for withholding relief funds for the Wayanad landslide survivors and said that the state is asserting its right and not seeking charity.
The government has requested the Centre to declare the landslide that hit the Chooralmala and Mundakai regions in Wayanad a national disaster. However, they have not taken any action on listing the disaster in the category as per the NDRF norms and "intentionally neglecting the state," he said.
The minister accused the union government of deliberately delaying disaster relief to Kerala, describing it as a challenge to the state.
He pointed out that the Centre had failed to provide a clear response to Kerala’s requests for assistance.
Rajan also dismissed the union government's claim that funds are available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), calling it misleading.
He said that the state would not accept the Centre’s stance and would continue to fight for Kerala’s rightful claims.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court will consider the case related to the Wayanad tragedy on Friday.
"The suo moto case registered by the High Court will come up before the court on Friday and we are looking for the stand of the union government in this regard," the minister said.
The disaster, which struck on July 30, devastated large parts of three villages --Punchirimattam, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai--along with sections of Attamala in Wayanad.
As per the government, the deadly disaster claimed 231 lives, while 47 people are still missing.
