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I D Swami condemns lathicharge on mediapersons in Ahmedabad

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs I D Swami strongly condemned the lathicharge on mediapersons at the Sabarmati Ashram, set up by Mahatma Gandhi, in Ahmedabad by the Gujarat police on Sunday afternoon.

The mediapersons were covering a peace meeting attended by Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader Medha Patkar.

Several journalists, including television cameramen, were injured when the police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse a mob, which was protesting against Patkar's presence at the meet.

Mediapersons vociferously protested against the lathicharge and even filed a complaint against the police.

"It is certainly a sad incident and could have been avoided," Swami told rediff.com in New Delhi on Sunday.

He said the Union home ministry would seek a comprehensive report on the incident from the state government.

"If we find that the attack on mediapersons was deliberate, then we will not hesitate to take strong action against the police," he said.

Swami, however, rejected Samata Party leader Shambu Srivastav's demand that following this latest incident, the Union government should change the chief minister of Gujarat.

"The decision in this matter would be taken only after the prime minister returns to India," he added.

The Sabarmati in Flames: Complete Coverage

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