Mangaluru: Independence Day celebration and parade at Nehru Maidan on Monday, was boycotted by the media persons, photographers and videographers, over not being allowed inside for some ‘security reasons’.

Senior photographers and reporters were annoyed for being subjected to the security checks and questions. As usual media personnel gathered at the Maidan to cover the Independence Day celebration. But this year it was totally different than previous years.

Later the security checks, media personnel were stopped by the police from crossing a specific line, this rule wasn’t existed in past and this wasn’t informed in advance also. Raged by this photographers and videographers boycotted the place soon after the flag hosting.

When District In-charge Minister Ramanatha Rai appeared outside of the Maidan, he was surrounded by the media personnel and they demanded a clarification for the incident.

In response Rai said that as the Deputy Commissioner is new to the place and due to certain protocols which were to be followed, this incident happened.

Photographers weren’t happy with this answer and the Minister assured them that such incidents will not occur in future.