Journalists who went to report on the student protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) faced an assault from the university’s security staff, a statement from a student body claimed. Among those attacked were Deshabhimani photographer Sujith, 24 News reporter R Achuthan, and 24 News cameraman Mohan Kumar.

The statement has also added that Malayala Manorama journalist Sharanya Bhuvanachandran was verbally abused. “Security personnel also attempted to destroy cameras that were being used to capture footage of the assault. The cameras were eventually returned after students intervened,” the statement added.

Reacting to the incident, CPI Rajya Sabha member P Santhosh Kumar said that the attack on media persons who came to report on the student strike at Jawaharlal Nehru University is highly condemnable. In a statement, he demanded an immediate inquiry and action against the guilty security personnel and those who gave them such instructions.

“The act of insulting, beating and grabbing the cameras of women media persons is unacceptable. This kind of violence against the media persons was done to prevent the truth related to the student strike coming out,” he added.