Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (DV)

Beltangady, Feb 27: A journalist working with a Kannada daily 'Jaya Kirana' was attacked on the night of Saturday February 27 at Saralikatte near Uppinangady.

Asif was riding home from work on Saturday night when a group of five came in a Scorpio, waylaid his two-wheeler and assaulted and threatened to kill him before fleeing the spot.

Asif has been admitted to Beltangady government hospital.

Sources said that Asif in his complaint named Azeez as one of the attackers. The other four have been identified as Sinan, Siddique Bazar, Nawaz and Imran.

Sources also said that Asif was attacked by the group as he had exposed their illegal activities in his reports.

Uppinangady police have registered a case and investigations are on.

The Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists' Union (DKDWJU) has condemned the assault. "Of late, attacks on journalists have increased and there have been attempts to curb their journalistic freedom. DKDWJU strongly condemns this. The police should take steps to ensure that such incidents do not repeat in future. Journalists should be allowed to work in an environment that is free of any kind of fear. The miscreants who attacked Asif should be arrested immediate and strict action should be taken against them," stated DKDWJU president Jagannath Shetty Bala in a press note.