Kalpetta: Strong protests have erupted over an incident in Wayanad where a journalist was allegedly assaulted by a photographer from MP Priyanka Gandhi’s team while covering her visit.
Shibu C.V., a reporter for Wayanad Vision, was allegedly assaulted by a photographer named Rafi Kollam while reporting on the visit of MPs Priyanka Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to the Coffee Research Centre in Chundale. According to the complaint filed by Shibu with the District Police Chief, the photographer blocked him, physically assaulted him, and threw his mobile phone worth ₹27,000 to the ground, obstructing his duty. The incident occurred around 3:30 PM today.
Media access was limited during the MPs’ visit. Shibu stated in his complaint that he had obtained special permission from the police and security officials to record visuals. After a body search, he was allowed to proceed to a designated area. The photographer, Rafi Kollam, allegedly stopped him while he was recording on his mobile phone from the permitted spot.
The photographer allegedly said that nobody other than him was allowed to take videos. Despite Shibu explaining that he had permission from the officials, the photographer did not back down. Shibu’s complaint highlights that the assault prevented him from capturing visuals, affecting his work. He also noted that since the MPs have been in the district for over a week with limited media access to their events, obstructing this opportunity is an infringement on press freedom.
When Shibu later called Rafi Kollam, he allegedly replied that he didn’t remember anything. The complaint also raises a security concern, stating that a person with such memory issues travelling with high-security MPs is a security lapse. Shibu has demanded legal action against the photographer for obstructing his duty and physical assault.
The Wayanad District Committee of the Online Media Reporters Association has also called for strict action against the photographer involved in the incident.
