MUMBAI: Another page was added to the sordid reputation of the country’s capital as a city unsafe for women when two Star News journalists, returning home after work in a company vehicle, were chased and cornered by a car near Nizamuddin bridge inc last night.
Even though the car had a Star News sticker labeled prominently on it, its still failed to deter the car-borne assailants from attempting to abduct the two journalists at 11:20 pm.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Star News CEO Udya Shankar says, “It is an unfortunate incident, but it is an occupational hazard. If this untoward event could happen to journalists, it is a clear indication of what the plight of ordinary women is.”
The Star News reporters were returning home after work when a car started chasing them on the Nizamuddin bridge around midnight. It forced the company vehicle to stop after which a man got down with a rod and demanded that the women come out.
When they refused to comply, the assailant allegedly broke the window panes and tail lights of their car and started abusing the reporters, a statement issued by Star News said.
Meanwhile, the reporters made several calls to PCR, and other reporters to seek immediate help from the police as well as to the home ministry.”But, there was no immediate relief from either the PCR or from the ministry and the attitudes was callous and shocking,” an outraged Shankar says.
Before the cops could reach the place, colleagues from the Star News team reached the spot, he adds.
Even after reaching the police picket, no immediate help was extended. Only after a hue and cry was raised, the FIR (first information report) was finally lodged in Mayur Vihar police station at around 01:30 am, Shankar says.
When asked as to what could be the reason behind the attack, Uday avers, “It is not clear at this point whether it was just hoodlums who were chasing the two women or something to do with gagging the voice of Star News.”
A Press Trust of India report quotes deputy commissioner of police (East district) Madhup Tiwari as saying the assailants had been identified and would be arrested soon. They have been charged with molestation, restraint and attempt to kidnap, Tiwari said.
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