Kerala Lawyers go berserk again: many injured in violence, media vehicles attacked
FollowThe clash between lawyers and media persons at Kochi on Wednesday spread to Thiruvananthapuram after the media room on the district court premises at Vanchiyoor was vandalised by a group of lawyers. Two journalists and an advocate's clerk were among many injured in stone pelting. The lawyers also targeted the media vehicle.
In a provocative act, lawyers pasted stickers with offending remarks on vehicles of media persons. "Fourth genders are not allowed" the stickers stated.
Also read: Kerala High Court tense after lawyers, journos clash
The violence began when the press persons came to cover the attack on media room. As they were about to return from the court premises, a section of lawyers closed the main gate of the court to stop them from going out. Then they rounded up journalists and started stone pelting. The miscreants broke the windowpanes of press vehicles. An advocate clerk and Jeevan TV reporter Anulal were injured in the attack. The lawyers also allegedly manhandled a woman reporter and abused them. Vehicle of Asianet News was destroyed by the miscreants.
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A heavy contingent of police is deployed outside the court. The media persons are holding a sit-in outside the court demanding action against the culprits. The lawyers continued stone pelting even as the people's representatives and police holding talks to end the stand off.
The attack on journalists in Kochi, a meeting, was held in the presence of Advocate General CP Sudhakar Prasad and representatives of lawyers and journalists to sort out differences and to find a solution to the strife. The meeting decided to conduct a judicial inquiry into the clash between advocates and scribes at Ernakulam High Court on Wednesday. Chief Justice will take a decision on reopening of Media Room at High Court, and Deputy Commissioner of Police will investigate the violence.
