Inquiry demanded into Goa jourlists' assault

Paji, April 27: A jourlists’ organisation in Goa on Monday demanded a magisterial inquiry after three press photographers and seven policemen were injured in an assault allegedly led by organisers of an illegal bullfight. Two people were arrested in connection with the assault that took place over the weekend near Margao. A former councillor has been booked by police for the assault, but most of the bullfight organisers and scores of fans of the illegal sport, who attacked the raiding policemen and mediamen, have not been arrested yet. “The incident needs serious investigation. We demand a magisterial inquiry into the assault, which has left three jourlists injured and, in some cases, their camera equipment has been damaged,” Goa Union of Jourlists president Kishor ik Gaonkar told IANS. On Saturday, a police raid on the illegally organised bullfight in Dovondem village, 35 km south of Paji, led to a mob attack and stone-pelting on the raiding personnel and press photographers, who had rushed to the site. Among the mediamen injured were Ramth Pai, Ramesh ik and Sagun Gawade. A still camera was also smashed by the mob, who were enraged after the police raid disrupted the bullfight. “We have filed a complaint against those involved in the incident and investigation is on,” inspector in-charge of Margao police station Sudesh ik said. (ians)