In a harrowing incident that unfolded in the Banbhulpura area of Haldwani, chaos and violence erupted as a demolition team moved in to remove encroachments. Amidst the chaos, media personnel covering the event found themselves under a brutal assault by unidentified assailants, leaving them severely injured and shaken.
Rajendra Babli, a photojournalist for Amar Ujala, and Sanjay Kanera, from Amrit Vichar, were among the journalists caught in the midst of the violence. Both suffered grievous injuries, with Kanera even remaining hospitalised in the ICU at Brijlal Hospital. His left hand bore the brunt of the attack, fractured amidst the chaos. Babli, too, bore several stitches on her head, testament to the brutality unleashed upon them.
Narrating their ordeal to a team of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Swayamsevak’s, the injured journalists painted a grim picture of the events that transpired. According to their accounts, the assailants seemed intent on causing harm, displaying a frightening disregard for human life. Babli recounted how the attack seemed premeditated, with the assailants launching into a frenzy of violence as soon as the encroachment removal team arrived at Malik’s garden.
As the demolition commenced, stones began to rain down from all sides, turning the scene into one of utter chaos and mayhem. The journalists, along with the police personnel present, found themselves scrambling for safety amidst the onslaught. Roads were blocked, avenues of escape cut off, as the assailants closed in on their prey.
Babli and Kanera, despite their efforts to flee, found themselves surrounded and subjected to a vicious assault. Stones pelted relentlessly, leaving them battered and bloodied, their very lives hanging in the balance. Kanera, in particular, bore the brunt of the attack, suffering severe head injuries and a broken arm. In a terrifying turn of events, a gunshot narrowly missed him, a stark reminder of the grave danger they faced.
The RSS members, upon hearing their harrowing accounts, emphasised the need for swift and decisive action against the perpetrators. Dr. Shailendra Ji, the state campaigner, called for stringent measures to tackle land mafia and ensure the safety of citizens. He stressed the importance of thorough verification processes to weed out anti-social elements and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the community, raising concerns about the safety of journalists and the growing spectre of violence in the region. Calls for justice and accountability echo loudly, as authorities are urged to bring the culprits to book and ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
As the injured journalists continue to recover from their ordeal, their courage and resilience serve as a reminder of the vital role played by the media in shining a light on the truth, even in the face of grave danger. Yet, their ordeal also serves as a stark warning of the dangers faced by those who dare to speak truth to power in an increasingly volatile world.
