Date:17/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021719860400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Scribes boycott Nizam engineering college press conference

Staff Reporter

Protests against alleged manhandling of TV journalists

HYDERABAD: Even as the controversy following clashes between security guards and students of the Nizam Institute of Engineering and Technology is yet to subside, the college management suffered another blow when mediapersons boycotted their press conference protesting against the alleged manhandling of TV journalists near the college.

A press conference organised by the college management saw mediapersons taking serious objection to the alleged unruly behaviour of the security guards, who targeted the journalists when they rushed to the college following trouble. A reporter of a Telugu news channel was allegedly beaten up badly while another was chased by the guards. Print and electronic media journalists who turned up in full strength lodged strong protest and staged a walkout protesting against the incident.

As the college chairman, Md. Jaffer tried to present his version, newsmen got up and raised slogans, displayed placards and stormed out of the hall. Mr. Jaffer pleaded with the reporters to listen to his version and tendered unconditional apology. He also promised to replace the equipment damaged by their guards.