Telecommunication company Bharti Airtel employees posted at Central Office Ansari Complex Sonawar area of Srinagar city Friday allegedly roughed up two video journalists of news channels of ‘Zee Salaam’ and ‘Gulistan News’ and even damaged the video camera (PD170) of a cameraman.Firdous Ahmed Najar, cameraman ‘Gulistan News’ and Umar Rehman of ‘Zee Salaam’ told news agency CNS that they received phone calls from some customers that brokers and employees at Bharti Airtel central office are charging extra money from them and only those are given post paid sim cards who grease their palms. “Taking these brokers unaware we started capturing everything on camera. These brokers were busy in demanding extra Rs 1000 from the customers.
Somebody suddenly took note of our presence and all but a dozen Airtel employees pounced upon us,” Umar Rehman said.Rehman in the attack was wounded and shifted to hospital. “These Airtel employees even caused massive damage to my costly video camera and decamped with the tape on which we had captured their illegal practices,” said Firdous Najar.The victims alleged that Airtel Circle Head was part the group that assaulted them and damaged their camera, a charge refuted by him. Airtel Circle Head Mr Majid told CNS that he is having no information about the incident.The victims registered a complaint at police station Ram Munshi Bagh against the assailants but said that police advised them to resolve the matter amicably. When contacted a police official said that both the parties agreed to resolve the matter amicably. “The accused party agreed to repair the damaged video camera and if they fail in their promise, other party has a right to approach us for the registration of FIR against them,” he said. (CNS)