Kadaba: A journalist, named Ganesh Idala (24), working for a private news channel, was beaten up mercilessly by a gang of illegal sand extractors at Koriyar in Kodimbala village in the taluk. Actually, Idala had visited the spot to prepare a media report on the basis of information he learnt about the illegal sand mining activity going on at Koriyar.

Ganesh Idala from Kenya, Ajay from Maipaje are the recognized victims. A mob of eight persons have been accused of attacking the journalist.

Actually, Ganesh Idala had got information that those who obtained permission to extract sand from Kenya in Balpa village for undertaking work on Subrahmanya road, were also extracting the sand from River Kumaradhara for being transported elsewhere. Accompanied by Sharat, driver of the Maruti Omni vehicle belonging to the news channel, he had travelled to the spot to check for himself and prepare a report, when he was attacked, it is reported.

As the violent mob of eight people proceeded towards the van, Sharat succeeded in escaping from the scene. The accused who assaulted Ganesh not only snatched away his video camera and cell phone, but also forcibly took away the gold chain he was wearing, the complainant complained. Mauled Ganesh got admitted into a private hospital in Puttur. Puttur deputy superintendent of police, Muraleedhar, and Kadaba sub-inspector, Prakash Devadiga, visited the hospital and gathered information from Ganesh.

Counter Complaints: In order to retaliate the incident, two counter complaints also are registered against the reporter in question. In a complaint made by Safiya from Nekkilady village and Lalita from Patrody, said that they were having bath in the river on Monday evening when a gang of six people masquerading as the pressmen came in an Omni van and took their naked photographs. They also touched their bodies while having bath and meted out sexual harassment; Also, the men gave the ultimatum of death threats.

In another complaint, Ganesh from Nekkilady said that along with driver Karunakar on Monday he was moving in Bolero vehicle for the payment of money for sand ought through PWD for Kermau Koriyar zilla panchayat road when six persons said to be representatives of visual media stopped his vehicle, derided him and snatched away Rs 1 lakh rupees he was carrying. Ganesh got admitted into the hospital in Mangaluru.