THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after advocates attacked journalists outside the High Court, a section of lawyers took the law into their hands in the capital city too. In what could be suspected as a planned move, advocates unleashed violence against the media and the public outside the District Court premises at Vanchiyoor.
Six journalists and an advocate clerk suffered serious injuries in the melee which lasted more than an hour when the advocates created tension on the court premises pelting stones and beer bottles at the journalists assembled outside the court premises. Anulal of Jeevan TV, P Rejeev of Kerala Kaumudi, Praveen of Jaihind TV, Ramakrishnan of ACV , Sayed of Media One and V S Biju of Mathrubhumi suffered injuries and were later hospitalised. The attackers also damaged a number of vehicles and the cameras of the visual media. On Thursday morning itself provocative actions were witnessed on the court premises. Posters which read ‘Naalaam lingakkarku praveshanamilla’ (No entry for the fourth gender) were found pasted at the media room on the court premises. Apart from this, the media room was locked up, allegedly by a group of advocates. Such posters were also pasted on the vehicles of certain media outlets.
Later, when journalists who went to cover the usual court proceedings saw these developments, the cameramen started shooting the visuals. The advocates then became agitated. They reportedly shut the gate of the district court after the journalists returned. The advocates also started abusing journalists outside the court compound and allegedly started pelting stones at the journalists, during which two persons were injured.
Following this, more journalists reached the spot and started protesting outside the court gate demanding action against those who pelted stones at journalists. Meanwhile, DCP G Siva Vikram reached the spot and said that he would look into the situation and register cases and further investigation will be carried out. However, tension remained as advocates continued to provoke the journalists assembled outside the court gate. With the stand-off continuing senior leaders, including V Sivakumar MLA, CPM district secretary Anavoor Nagappan and BJP district president S Suresh also reached the spot.
The police officials said that that strong action would be taken against those responsible for the violence.