City 42 attack: Journalists condemn police for poor security

Two armed men had fired gunshots in the air in front of City 42 headoffice late on Sunday night

LAHORE: Scores of media professionals staged a demonstration at the Charring Cross on Monday to condemn an incident of firing in front of a private television channel’s office late on Sunday night.

The Punjab Assembly was in session when the protest took place. The protesters blocked The Mall and chanted slogans against the police for their failure to ensure security of media offices and personnel.

Two unidentified motorcyclists had fired gunshots in front of the Jail Road head office of City 42 news channel late on Sunday night.

Witnesses said the men had stopped the motorcycle in front of the office and fired three shots in the air before fleeing from the scene. No loss of life or injury was reported in the incident.

On hearing the news, media personnel from several organisations had gathered at the scene to express solidarity with  the news channel staff and condemned the police for its failure to provide security to media houses. They had also raised slogans against terrorist outfits.

A heavy contingent of city police led by CCPO Capt (r) Amin Wains had later visited the site to collect forensic evidence and register statement of witnesses.

In December 2015, two unidentified motorcyclists had thrown a cracker at the office of DIN News. Three people including a policeman were injured in the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2016.