CHENNAI: Bigger I-cards to protect poll watchdogs

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai, on March 26, 2011:

Link:http://expressbuzz.com/states/tamilnadu/bigger-i-cards-to-protect-poll-watchdogs/259729.html

CHENNAI: About 100 videographers appointed by the District Election Officer to film poll-related activities and events in the city's 16 constituencies have expressed concern over their safety, after one of their colleagues was allegedly manhandled by a group of political party cadres, while filming an event as per the official's instruction.

According to an eyewitness, the videographer was attacked by a group of party cadre, while attempting to film a 'candidate introduction' event held at a community hall in Anna Nagar two days ago. 
"Though the cameraman reached the spot after a top official asked the local poll officials to film the event after receiving complaints of biriyani and money distribution, his camera and the tape were damaged by 50 cadre," the eyewitness said.

Saying that the incident had occurred, D Karthikeyan, District Election Officer, said, "It is not true that he was manhandled. When he was surrounded by a group of party cadre, who suspected his alleged links to a TV channel, policemen rescued him. Since the incident happened due to lack of proper ID cards, we have planned to issue bigger-sized ID cards to them." 
Speaking to Express, N Gopalaswami, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, said "Immediate and severe action against the perpetrators would only solve the problem."