Photo courtesy TSPJA Group
Hyderabad : In a shocking incident, Nagara Gopal, a photographer and journalist from The Hindu, was reportedly attacked by a journalist from a vernacular news channel during an official assignment to cover Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s election campaign in Neredmet on Tuesday.
The altercation unfolded at the Vayupuri Recreation Club during the campaign event, where an argument over a spot to cover the Union Minister’s speech escalated between Nagara Gopal and Mahesh, a local TV reporter from Neredmet. Despite intervention by other media persons present, tensions persisted.
After the program concluded, Mahesh allegedly grabbed a stick and attacked Nagara Gopal on the head, causing severe injuries. Nagara Gopal fell to the ground, and local residents, as well as event attendees, rushed to his aid. He was initially taken to a nearby private hospital in A.S.Rao Nagar and later transferred to Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad, where his condition is reported to be stable.
In response to the assault, fellow photographers present at the scene staged a protest at the Neredmet police station, demanding strict action against the attacker. The Neredmet police assured that necessary action would be taken based on the complaint filed.
The incident has garnered condemnation from Photo Journalist Unions in the city, emphasizing the pressing need for a safer working environment for media professionals. Investigations into the attack are ongoing.
