Arun Jaitley demands independent probe into attack on journalists

NEW DELHI: The Centre today demanded an independent probe into the attack on journalists in Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh, calling it condemnable.

"Attack on journalists in Uttar Pradesh is condemnable. An independent probe into the incident should be carried out," Information & Broadcasting and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tweeted.

Two journalists of a leading English news channel were attacked allegedly by a local Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Nahid Hasan and his aides when they had gone to cover the incident in which a 8-year-old boy was killed in celebratory firing by party workers in Shamli district.

The boy, Sami, who was passing by Kairana area in a rickshaw was hit during the firing by SP workers yesterday.

The workers were celebrating the victory of party candidate Nafisa in the local body polls from the town.

The UP unit of BJP alleged that the attack on media persons was a "planned" assault which indicated "anarchy" in the state.