PATNA: Don-turned-MLA Anant Singh, known as Chhote Sarkar of Mokama, on Thursday embarrassed the "sushasan sarkar" of his JD (U) party in Bihar when he and his henchmen thrashed a TV reporter and his cameraman.
Prakash Singh and Habib Ali, who work for a private news channel, had gone to Singh's house seeking his reaction on the murder of a girl who had alleged sexual exploitation by him.
The MLA was later arrested. The two journalists were held hostage by Singh and beaten with rifle butts and lathis.
NDTV:
JD(U) MLA Anant Singh has been arrested alongwith four of his supporters after he assaulted NDTV reporter Prakash Singh and other mediapersons in Patna.
Two of those held are the MLA's supporters, one is a personal bodyguard and one an official guard. The MLA has been produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate.
The journalists were held captive for two hours at Singh's house and were only released when the police turned up.
Prakash was at Anant Singh's house for an interview when the attack took place. Singh snatched NDTV's broadcast van keys and smashed the camera.
Cameraman Habib Ali, who managed to escape, has been taken to the Patna Medical College Hospital after he complained of chest pain.
The cameraperson of the news agency ANI was also beaten up.
In a related development, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a CBI probe into the body of a woman being found in a sack.
The reporters were held captive and beaten up for asking the MLA to react to allegations that he had raped the woman. The body, though has not been identified yet.
RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav strongly condemned the attack on the media. The opposition RJD has called for a Bihar bandh on Friday. Yadav further said that tough action should be taken against Anant Singh.
Journalists meanwhile have been protesting outside Anant Singh's house in Patna.
