The Tribune, september 15, 1999
Bid on life of Kaithal scribe
Tribune News Service
CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — An attempt on the life of a newsman, Mr Parmanand Goyal of Kaithal, Haryana, was made in Kaithal on Monday, which has left him with fractures on both legs, injuries on hands, arms and on the head.
He has been admitted to the emergency of the PGI in Chandigarh.
Mr Goyal claimed that he was accompanied by another newsman, Mr Mahipal, on a scooter, when he was allegedly attacked by five masked men with rods and lathis.
In a case of attempt on their lives, a police Inspector of the town, Mr Dalbir Singh, has been placed under suspension for dereliction of duty with immediate effect, by the Inspector-General Police, Ambala Range, Mr H.S. Ahlawat, who has been camping at Kaithal.
A spokesman said the police had identified Krishan Pal Pahalwan and others involved in the incident and added that they would be nabbed soon as a massive manhunt had been launched.
Meanwhile, Mr Goyal talking to a TNS team from his bed alleged that the police of the town and certain rice mill owners were behind the incident. He also alleged that his family members were being harassed. Sources stated that the FIR lodged had named certain police officials and rice mill owners.
The DGP, Haryana, Mr A.S. Bhatotia, has denied any involvement of his men in the incident.
Meanwhile, Mr Goyal maintains that he was attacked on Monday afternoon because he had been writing stories against the rice mill owners and also the local police. He added that though he had now been given police protection, he feared for the life of his family members. Reportedly tension between the rice millers and Mr Goyal had been building up for quite some time.
Mr Jaswinder Sandhu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary of the state, and Mr Rampal Majra, the local MLA, visited the newsman.
The Haryana Police on Tuesday claimed to have identified the kingpin behind the murderous attack on journalist Parmanand Goyal.
The DGP said Krishan Pal Pahalwan, who organises "games of skill", an euphemism for gambling, at Red Cross melas, was responsible for the attack on Mr Goyal.
Mr Goyal had highlighted how innocent persons were being cheated in gambling at the Red Cross Mela organised at Kaithal recently. Following reports in Mr Goyal's paper, the administration had ordered the closure of the games of skills organised by Pahalwan.
Mr Bhatotia said Pahalwan, who had to incur financial loss, was responsible for the attack on Mr Goyal. The DGP added that the culprits would be arrested soon as a massive manhunt had already been launched.
He denied any police officer's involvement in the attack.
A few days ago another Kaithal-based newsman, Mr Mahipal, was assaulted.
Meanwhile, the Haryana Union of Journalists, affiliated to the National Union of Journalists, has condemned the attack on Mr Goyal and Mr Mahipal. In a statement here today the HUJ President, Mr Yoginder Gupta, said the attacks were part of conspiracy aimed at not only browbeating the press but to spoil the relations between the press and the government.
He demanded a high-level enquiry.
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