PILIBHIT: Even as the brutal murder of journalist Jagendra Singh is fresh in public memory, an attempt was made on the life of TV journalist who had been reporting on a land usurpation case here on the night of June 13.

Haidar Khan , stringer for a news channel and a resident of Sherpur Kalan informed TOI that on Saturday evening, he got information about a wanted robber being injured in an accident in another village, Bilhari. On arriving at the spot, however, Haidar was allegedly attacked by Arvind Prakash (50) and accomplices, who tied him up and dragged him behind motorcycles till he lost consciousness.

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Left for dead by his attackers, Khan was taken to Puranpur Kotwali police station by unknown individuals, from where he was shifted to government hospital, Pilibhit, for treatment.

Khan had been reporting on Arvind Prakash’s alleged usurpation of six acres of agricultural land belonging to the latter’s brother, who is visually impaired. “A few days ago, Prakash brutally beat up his father to force him to transfer the land to his (Prakash’s) name. I had flashed the story, which is why Prakash, who has a criminal background, attempted to kill me,” alleged Khan.

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SHO, Puranpur Kotwali police station, DP Singh told TOI that an FIR had been lodged against Arvind Prakash, his son Sudhir and two alleged accomplices Pyare Lal and Tinku under section 323 (causing hurt), 504 (insult to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Sudhir and Pyare Lal have been arrested at the time of filing of this report.

Read this story in Hindi: अब टीवी पत्रकार को बाइक से बांधकर घसीटा