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MLA arrested after attack on journalists

Special Correspondent

The team went to seek his reaction to a murder
MLA remanded to judicial custody for two weeks

— Photos: PTI

Fury & agony: Anant Singh, Janata Dal (United) MLA of Bihar, angrily reacts while being taken into custody by police after he and his bodyguards beat up television journalists in Patna on Thursday. The mediamen faced the wrath of the MLA for seeking his reaction to a case of rape and murder of a minor girl. At right, an injured journalist being escorted out of the Sachiwalaya police station in Patna after filing an FIR against Mr. Singh and his men.

PATNA: The police on Thursday arrested JD(U) MLA Anant Singh and four others for allegedly assaulting journalists after taking them hostage and attacking their colleagues when they protested. His men bashed up journalists again when Mr. Singh was being taken to jail, and he threatened journalists with dire consequences.

An NDTV team had gone to Mr. Singh’s official residence, after getting an appointment with him, to seek his reaction to the murder of a girl who had allegedly been threatened by the MLA and a letter reportedly written by her.

The Bihar government had decided to refer the murder of Reshma Khatoon to the CBI following the allegation against Mr. Singh. Her body was found in a gunny bag here on Wednesday. She had written in vain to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, DGP Ashish Ranjan Sinha and the media to save her.

NDTV correspondent Prakash Singh and cameraman Habib Ali were received by the MLA well but soon his men attacked them with fists, lathis and butt of rifles.

Mr. Ali managed to escape and approached the DGP to save his colleague. The DGP did not respond immediately and wanted a written complaint.

As word spread, other journalists gathered outside the residence of Mr. Anant Singh. The police arrived and rescued Mr. Prakash Singh, who filed an FIR. He charged the MLA and his men with holding them captive and attempting to murder him and Mr. Ali.

Mr. Anant Singh’s men also attacked journalists waiting outside. ANI cameraman Ajay Kumar’s arm was broken and injuries were inflicted on Jansatta correspondent Ganga Prasad.

Hospitalised

Mr. Prakash Singh was taken to the Patna Medical College Hospital and given first aid and discharged. Mr. Ali, who developed cardiac problems as he suffered blows on his chest, was admitted to the ICU. Mr. Kumar too is being treated at the hospital.

The police arrested Mr. Anant Singh and four others, including a jawan of the State’s paramilitary police known as the Bihar Military Police. They had not only attacked the journalists but also vandalised their vehicles. Chief Judicial Magistrate R. Singh remanded the JD(U) MLA to judicial custody for 14 days. Policemen posted at the MLA’s residence have been removed.

Call for bandh

Led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the Opposition parties condemned the attack on journalists and called for a Bihar bandh on Friday. The Leader of the Opposition, Rabri Devi, held a meeting of like-minded parties to jointly protest against the assault and attacks on the freedom of the press in recent days. The CPI, CPI(M), Congress and NCP have supported the call.

The LJP, CPI-ML and the Samata Party have issued separate calls for a bandh on Friday.

CBI probe ordered

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered a CBI enquiry into the murder of Reshma Khatoon as the name of his party legislator figured in the letter of the victim. He condemned the attack on journalists.

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