Thiruvananthapuram: District court premises in the Kerala state capital of Thiruvananthapuram witnessed unruly scenes on July 21 when a group of lawyers and journalists clashed.
A day earlier, similar scenes were witnessed at the Kerala High Court premises in Kochi, the state’s commercial capital.
On both days a group of lawyers allegedly attacked journalists during a protest march. Lawyers accused media persons of indulging in violence. On July 21 a few lawyers in Thiruvananthapuram pasted a poster on the media room door of the court that read “no entry for the fourth gender.” A similar poster was also pasted on some media vehicles.
Journalists who were inside the court complex covering court proceedings of the day allege that they were then attacked by a group of lawyers.
“We shot the closed media room and the posters pasted there. That’s when they started attacking us and hurling abuses. All of us journalists then decided to move out but some lawyers closed the gate and blocked our vehicles and some pelted stones,” Akhila, a journalist, was quoted by India Today.
The journalists then protested outside the court complex with police protection.
“We have received complaints from both sides. We have to look into the matter before taking any decisions or taking actions,” said Shiva Vikram, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Thiruvananthapuram.
As the protest progressed, a group of lawyers from inside the gate threw stones and hurled beer bottles at the journalists who then reacted to the attack, sparking of another round of violence that got out of control.
Several journalists, lawyers, policemen and public were hurt during the attacks.
The crowd dispersed about two hours later following an assurance by the City Police Commissioner that the matter will be looked into seriously.
Following a meeting of senior advocates, journalists and lawyers association in Kochi, Kerala Advocate Association president SU Nazar assured that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure a friendly atmosphere for journalists to report court proceedings.