Lucknow, Aug 21 (IANS): After a series of attacks on scribes across the state, including a recent assault on staff of a national daily by corporator and his henchmen here, the Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday issued strict directives to district officials to ensure safety and security of journalists.

Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan issued directions to Principal Secretary, Home, Debashish Panda to ensure strict legal action against the accused after registering the case concerning complaints of harassment or assault on the press representatives by anti-social and criminal elements under appropriate sections.

Noting such cases should be closely supervised by district police in-charge, the chief secretary said that if proper action was not taken by police in any case, then disciplinary actions should be taken against the officials concerned. Ranjan also instructed that meetings of district level Standing Committee under district magistrates should be held regularly to build more cordial relations between journalists and the administration.

Panda issued orders to all district magistrates and police chiefs through a circular for compliance of the chief secretary's orders in letter and spirit.