Assault on journalists in Hisar: Human Rights Commission issues notice to Haryana Police

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today issued notice to the Haryana Police over alleged police assault on journalists outside the ashram of 'godman' Rampal in Hisar. The notice was issued to the Director General of Police, Haryana calling for a report in the matter within two weeks, according to an NHRC statement.

While issuing the notice, the commission took cognisance of a complaint that some journalists were beaten up by police personnel near Rampal's ashram in Hisar, where they had assembled at an earmarked place for coverage of the developments there. The commission observed that the allegations leveled in the complaint, if true, amount to violation of human rights of the media persons.

Several persons, including security and media personnel, were injured as clashes erupted at the ashram today with police lobbing teargas shells and using batons to disperse his supporters who allegedly fired back.

A number of people, including women, were injured in the violence at the Satlok Ashram in this town as authorities attempted to storm the premises and arrest Rampal against whom fresh non-bailable warrant was issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court yesterday. 

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