2 cable operators attacked by rivals at Patiala's Tripuri area

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 23

Two cable operators - Rakesh and Sonu - have been attacked allegedly at the behest of a ruling party MLA by unidentified goons of a rival cable company with swords and sticks at Tripuri area here. The attack that took place on Monday was captured in a CCTV camera.

Sonu suffered critical injuries on his hands, legs and other parts of body. “My hand was almost chopped off as it required 12 stitches. Rakesh was beaten up severely with sticks. They (attackers) came prepared and the police are yet to register an FIR despite CCTV footage,” he said.

The Tripuri SHO, Pardeep Bajwa, said the police were investigating the matter and the two people named by the victims can’t be seen in the available footage. “An FIR based on doctors’ opinion will be registered,” he said.

An ongoing war over control of cable networks in Punjab has resulted in filling of 15 cross FIRs in the past few months. Opposition parties have been alleging that it was an attempt by AAP to control the media by dictating to cable operators to run only “government-friendly” channels.

The Patiala Cable Operators Union alleged that the attacks were happening as AAP Sanaur MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra has stakes in “Redsprout Media Private Limited”. “Ever since Pathanmajra joined the company as director, he has been hell bent on using his influence. With the help of muscle power and the police, he wants to control cable networks and has already captured about 25 operators,” said Vikas Puri, Director of Fastway Aerospace Pvt Ltd.

Pathanmajra told The Tribune: “Allegations levelled against me are baseless.”

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