Journalists injured as violence erupts in Charsadda protest

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 11 May 2012 |  Kamran Yousafzai

Police in Charsadda baton-charged journalists covering a protest against power load-shedding, injuring at least two media workers. The injured were taken to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar for treatment. Journalists’ bodies condemned the action and demanded an inquiry and safety measures.

Summary

CHARSADDA—Police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district of Charsadda baton-charged journalists covering a protest against power load-shedding Friday (May 11) that left at least two media persons injured.

Among the injured were Siraj Ali, a cameraman for Geo TV, and reporter Sher Ali Khan, who works for NewsOne channel. The injured were rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, where they received medical treatment for their injuries. Eyewitnesses reported that the journalists were performing their duty of reporting the protest when the police suddenly started baton-charging the crowd, indiscriminately hitting both protesters and media personnel.

The protest had erupted in response to the persistent power outages that have plagued the region, severely disrupting daily life and economic activities. Frustrated residents took to the streets, blocking the M-1 Motorway and damaging several vehicles as a way to draw attention to their plight. The situation quickly escalated, leading to a violent confrontation between the protesters and the police.

Journalists' associations have condemned the police action, calling it an attack on the freedom of the press. They demanded an immediate inquiry into the incident and called for measures to ensure the safety of journalists covering protests and other high-risk events.