New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS): The Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) Thursday deplored the police action on media persons who were covering the arrest of controversial sect leader Rampal in Haryana.

"The way in which media persons were targeted and beaten up calls for strict action against the authorities who gave the order for police action," the IWPC said in a statement.

It said: "We demand along with other organisations that the state government should undertake the responsibility for full medical treatment of those injured, several of whom are the sole bread winners in their families."

It asked the Haryana government to ensure that no false and frivolous cases are registered against media persons who were merely doing their job on the day of the incident.

Reports said some media persons covering the stand-off and clash between security forces and followers of Rampal were injured Tuesday as police attacked the journalists.

"The IWPC also condemns the manner in which self-styled godmen of late are being literally allowed to run parallel systems of authority in several states, including Haryana," it said.