Assault on Soiru Komarpant Photo journalist of Gomantak daily of Goa

"In Goa, indeed there are cases that concern us. Soiru Komarpant, a photojournalist working with Gomantak newspaper was assaulted a year back. The inquiry is conducted but report is not open," Kamat remembered talking about hazards faced by media in Goa.

"We want the report to come out which will also expect to suggest certain guidelines for the photojournalists when they are on duty," the GUJ said.

Komarpant was brutally assaulted by police in Margao city last year when he was covering a flash communal violence that erupted in this commercial town. Chief minister Digamber kamat had constituted inquiry by senior bureaucrat Swapnil Naik to investigate into the assault. "The report is placed before chief minister's office months back but still its not revealed despite our several representation to chief minister," Kamat said. 

Subsequently, Goa had witnessed two more assaults including vernacular journalists in south Goa. "In one of the case, a minister had threatened a journalist butnothing has happened to get him justice," Kamat said. "These are stray incidents which threatens freedom of press in Goa," GUJ president said. Goa Union of Journalist president Prakash Kamat, during the function, urged state acting chief secretary Narendra Kumar to commit on making this inquiry report public on international press freedom day.

Sources - http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_goa-govt-refuses-to-make-journalist-assault-report-public_1378406

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_public-pressure-may-force-curbs-on-paid-news-trend_1378416

Press photographer injured in lathi-charge - HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, JUNE 27, 2008 – A press photographer employed with Marathi daily Gomantak Soiru Komarpant was badly beaten up by the police during the lathi charge on 

Bajrang Dal activists. He was later admitted in Hospicio hospital with low pressure andpain in the back.
Komarpant informed that the policemen beat him up mercilessly even after introducing himself as a press photographer.
The incident was brought to the notice of the district Collector, G P Naik and Superintendent of police, Shekar Prabhudesai at the press briefing called on the district Collectorate.

Source - http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet-news@lists.goanet.org/msg00878.html