The association discussed the issue at a meeting held at the Chandigarh Press Club here today, where action was sought against the erring cops. The members said that such incidents could not be tolerated in a democratic set-up.

The incident pertained to the beating up of Ajay Verma and Tejinder Sehgal, photographer and reporter, respectively, of Desh Sewak by the security staff. The two were covering the agitation of nurses and when the cops started removing the nurses from the spot, the photographer was asked not to take pictures. Later, when the two resisted the forcible snatching of the camera by cops, they were beaten up.

A spokesman of the association said that a delegation of journalists would soon call on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to seek action and draw his attention towards the growing incidents of violence against journalists, especially by the Punjab Police. The members also highlighted other similar incidents, which included registration of false cases against journalists and manhandling of a photographer by Punjab Police cops at Mohali recently.