2 photojournalists attacked by cops

New Delhi: High drama took place in Amar Colony in Lajpat Nagar on Thursday after a team of civic and police officials forcibly closed down shops of traders.

In the melee, the officials allegedly turned rough and even resorted to caning. In one such instance, a shopkeeper was allegedly manhandled and was slapped by the additional deputy commissioner, Southeast Delhi, while two photojournalists were attacked by the police.

The incident took place in Lajpat Nagar-4 area. On Thursday, the women’s garments market, old double storey, underwent sealing. While the sealing process was underway by the civic and police offici-als, the protesters were lathicharged and some were shooed away or dragged by the police.

It is learnt that women police personnel used force on the women and pushed them away.

Many people sustained injuries, including head injuries, during the sealing drive.

One of the shopkeepers identified as Gautam Baweja was brutally caned by the officials. The sealing process that began at 10 am, saw

In the morning several officials descended on the area with seals to close down traders’ shops. When the traders protested and resorted to Road Roko, they were were roundly thrashed.

DCP Chinmoy Biswal said when he learnt about the incident he immediately reached the spot

While the sealing drive was in progress, additional commissioner (Southeast) Amity Sharma, allegedly slapped a shopkeeper. Two photojournalists identified as Vipin Sharma and Sunil Katariay of two Hindi daily newspapers were roughed up. The police snatched away Mr Sharma’s camera took him to the police station where he was allegedly made to sit for over two hours. The police also tore both their shirts. However, Mr Katariay’s camera was intact, despite the police trying to break it.

Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari has said that after the mass sealing at Amar Colony, the issue has turned very grave.