Indian embassy in Washington strongly reacted against a physical attack faced by a Press Trust of India journalist while covering a demonstration by the&nbsp;supporters of a died-down separatist movement in North Indian state of Punjab.

"We have seen disturbing visuals of a senior Indian journalist from Press Trust of India being abused, threatened and&nbsp;assaulted physically while covering so called ‘Khalistan protest’ in Washington DC. We understand that the journalist was first verbally intimidated, then physically assaulted, and fearing for his personal safety and well-being, had to call in law enforcement agencies, who responded promptly," Indian embassy in Washington said in an official statement.&nbsp;

"We condemn such a grave and unwarranted attack on a senior journalist. Such activities only underscore the violent and anti-social tendencies of the so called 'Khalistani protesters' and their supporters, who routinely engage in wanton violence and vandalism," it added.

The journalist who was attacked, was covering a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian embassy in Washington D.C. on Saturday afternoon.

The US Secret Service, however, quickly sprung into action, and protected the journalist while letting him do his job.

The journalist was hit on his left ear with two sticks by pro-Khalistan supporters.

He also shared a video of the Khalistani supporters on his Twitter handle.

"Thank you @SecretService 4 my protection 2day 4 helping do my job, otherwise I would have been writing this from hospital. The gentleman below hit my left ear with these 2 sticks &amp; earlier I had to call 9/11 &amp; rushed 2 police van 4 safety fearing physical assault," the journalist tweeted on Sunday.

The journalist has reportedly decided to take no action against those who heckled him.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pro-khalistan-protest-uk-foreign-ministry-calls-violence-at-indian-high-commission-unacceptable-574956">Pro-Khalistan protest: UK foreign ministry calls violence at Indian High Commission ‘unacceptable’</a>

"The pro-Khalistan protesters in support of Amrit Pal waved Khalistan flags and descended upon the embassy in the presence of the US Secret Service. They even openly threatened to vandalise the embassy and threatened the Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu," the heckled journalist was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The protesters included turbaned men of all ages who raised pro-Khalistan slogans. They came in from different parts of the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area.

The organisers used mics to make anti-India speeches both in English and Punjabi languages and targeted the Punjab Police for alleged human rights violations. 
Multiple events of protests by supporters of Khalistan have been staged outside the Indian embassy and the San Francisco Consulate. Earlier this week, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was also attacked on March 20.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Pro-Khalistan protest held outside Indian High Commission in London

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Visuals shared online show a huge mob brandishing Khalistan flags mounted on wooden poles, using them to smash glass doors and windows of the consulate building.

They raised pro-Khalistan slogans as they broke through makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two Khalistani flags inside the premises.

The United States has condemned the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and any attack against diplomatic facilities within the US. The US has pledged to defend the safety, and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them.

"The United States condemns the attack on&nbsp;the Indian Consulate and any attack against diplomatic facilities within the United States. We pledge to defend the safety and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them," US State Department spokesperson told ANI.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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Indian embassy in Washington strongly reacted against a physical attack faced by a Press Trust of India journalist while covering a demonstration by the supporters of a died-down separatist movement in North Indian state of Punjab.

Indian embassy in Washington strongly reacted against a physical attack faced by a Press Trust of India journalist while covering a demonstration by the supporters of a died-down separatist movement in North Indian state of Punjab. "We have seen disturbing visuals of a senior Indian journalist from Press Trust of India being abused, threatened and assaulted physically while covering so called ‘Khalistan protest’ in Washington DC. We understand that the journalist was first verbally intimidated, then physically assaulted, and fearing for his personal safety and well-being, had to call in law enforcement agencies, who responded promptly," Indian embassy in Washington said in an official statement. "We condemn such a grave and unwarranted attack on a senior journalist. Such activities only underscore the violent and anti-social tendencies of the so called 'Khalistani protesters' and their supporters, who routinely engage in wanton violence and vandalism," it added. The journalist who was attacked, was covering a pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian embassy in Washington D.C. on Saturday afternoon. The US Secret Service, however, quickly sprung into action, and protected the journalist while letting him do his job. The journalist was hit on his left ear with two sticks by pro-Khalistan supporters. He also shared a video of the Khalistani supporters on his Twitter handle. "Thank you @SecretService 4 my protection 2day 4 helping do my job, otherwise I would have been writing this from hospital. The gentleman below hit my left ear with these 2 sticks & earlier I had to call 9/11 & rushed 2 police van 4 safety fearing physical assault," the journalist tweeted on Sunday. The journalist has reportedly decided to take no action against those who heckled him. ALSO READ | Pro-Khalistan protest: UK foreign ministry calls violence at Indian High Commission ‘unacceptable’ "The pro-Khalistan protesters in support of Amrit Pal waved Khalistan flags and descended upon the embassy in the presence of the US Secret Service. They even openly threatened to vandalise the embassy and threatened the Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu," the heckled journalist was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. The protesters included turbaned men of all ages who raised pro-Khalistan slogans. They came in from different parts of the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area. The organisers used mics to make anti-India speeches both in English and Punjabi languages and targeted the Punjab Police for alleged human rights violations. Multiple events of protests by supporters of Khalistan have been staged outside the Indian embassy and the San Francisco Consulate. Earlier this week, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was also attacked on March 20. ALSO WATCH | Pro-Khalistan protest held outside Indian High Commission in London × Visuals shared online show a huge mob brandishing Khalistan flags mounted on wooden poles, using them to smash glass doors and windows of the consulate building. They raised pro-Khalistan slogans as they broke through makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two Khalistani flags inside the premises. The United States has condemned the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and any attack against diplomatic facilities within the US. The US has pledged to defend the safety, and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them. "The United States condemns the attack on the Indian Consulate and any attack against diplomatic facilities within the United States. We pledge to defend the safety and security of these facilities as well as the diplomats who work within them," US State Department spokesperson told ANI. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Khalistan’ hooligans attack journalist in Washington; Indian mission deems it ‘grave, unwarranted’

Filipina journalist Maria <a name="_Hlk90157014">Ressa</a>, while accepting her Nobel Peace Prize, launched a tirade against US social media giants holding them responsible for fuelling a flood of “toxic sludge” in the social platform.

Without naming “American internet companies” such as Facebook and Twitter, the 58-year-old said that they are “making more money by spreading hate and triggering the worst in us.”

“With its god-like power, their technology has allowed a virus of lies to infect each of us, pitting us against each other, bringing out our fears, anger and hate, and setting the stage for the rise of authoritarians and dictators around the world,” she said to a scaled-down audience to due to pandemic at Oslo’s City Hall.

“Our greatest need today is to transform that hate and violence, the toxic sludge that’s coursing through our information ecosystem, prioritised by American internet companies that make more money by spreading that hate and triggering the worst in us,” Ressa, the co-founder of news website Rappler, said.

These companies “are biased against facts, biased against journalists. They are — by design — dividing us and radicalising us,” she said.

Ressa highlighted the importance of reliable facts at a time when the world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic or facing upcoming elections in countries like France, the United States, the Philippines and Hungary.

Ressa, a vocal critic of Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war, is herself facing seven criminal lawsuits in her country, which she said could see her sent to prison for 100 years.

Currently on bail pending an appeal against a conviction last year in a cyber libel case, she had to apply to four courts for permission to travel to Norway for Friday’s ceremony.

Her co-laureate Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, meanwhile called for a minute of silence during the Nobel ceremony to honour all journalists killed in the line of duty.

Novaya Gazeta is one of the rare independent newspapers in a Russian media landscape largely under state control, reports news agency AFP.

Known for its investigations into corruption and human rights abuses in Chechnya, Novaya Gazeta has seen six of its journalists killed since the 1990s, including famed investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, murdered in 2006.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded them the&nbsp;2021 Nobel Peace Prize&nbsp;for their separate fights for freedom of expression in countries where reporters have faced persistent attacks, harassment and killings.

(With inputs from agencies)

Filipina journalist Maria Ressa, while accepting her Nobel Peace Prize, launched a tirade against US social media giants holding them responsible for fuelling a flood of “toxic sludge” in the social platform.

Filipina journalist Maria Ressa, while accepting her Nobel Peace Prize, launched a tirade against US social media giants holding them responsible for fuelling a flood of “toxic sludge” in the social platform. Without naming “American internet companies” such as Facebook and Twitter, the 58-year-old said that they are “making more money by spreading hate and triggering the worst in us.” “With its god-like power, their technology has allowed a virus of lies to infect each of us, pitting us against each other, bringing out our fears, anger and hate, and setting the stage for the rise of authoritarians and dictators around the world,” she said to a scaled-down audience to due to pandemic at Oslo’s City Hall. “Our greatest need today is to transform that hate and violence, the toxic sludge that’s coursing through our information ecosystem, prioritised by American internet companies that make more money by spreading that hate and triggering the worst in us,” Ressa, the co-founder of news website Rappler, said. These companies “are biased against facts, biased against journalists. They are — by design — dividing us and radicalising us,” she said. Ressa highlighted the importance of reliable facts at a time when the world is battling the COVID-19 pandemic or facing upcoming elections in countries like France, the United States, the Philippines and Hungary. Ressa, a vocal critic of Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war, is herself facing seven criminal lawsuits in her country, which she said could see her sent to prison for 100 years. Currently on bail pending an appeal against a conviction last year in a cyber libel case, she had to apply to four courts for permission to travel to Norway for Friday’s ceremony. Her co-laureate Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta, meanwhile called for a minute of silence during the Nobel ceremony to honour all journalists killed in the line of duty. Novaya Gazeta is one of the rare independent newspapers in a Russian media landscape largely under state control, reports news agency AFP. Known for its investigations into corruption and human rights abuses in Chechnya, Novaya Gazeta has seen six of its journalists killed since the 1990s, including famed investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, murdered in 2006. The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded them the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for their separate fights for freedom of expression in countries where reporters have faced persistent attacks, harassment and killings. (With inputs from agencies)

Nobel winner journalist Ressa slams US social media giants for fuelling ‘hate and anger’

The police on Monday arrested four people who allegedly attacked TV journalist Herman Gomes in Mumbai.

The journalist and his friend were allegedly beaten up by four unidentified miscreants near outside his house around 1:30 am on Saturday.

"I was attacked by four people out of nowhere.. I have got six stitches on my right eye. All I can say is, these people were waiting for me for a long time. It was not a last-minute provocation. They stood ready for the attack. They thrashed my friend as well and took away his mobile phone," Gomes said.

Gomes also took to social media to share the ordeal."I was attacked by an unknown group of people right outside my Bombay House.. It was clearly pre planned. They were armed with a knuckle duster. I always mind my own business and do stories that I firmly Believe in. Last night was something different and they came out to KILL me. My eye is badly affected and so is my body. I don`t know which story affected people so much. I don`t know these people too. Mumbai Police has asked a senior IPS officer to look after the case. FIR filed at Gamdevi Police station shortly. I managed to take on 2 people but another group was waiting to take on me at the backI`ve got 6 stitches around my eye, among others . My family and I are affected," Gomes on Facebook.&nbsp;

The police on Monday arrested four people who allegedly attacked TV journalist Herman Gomes in Mumbai. The journalist and his friend were allegedly beaten up by four unidentified miscreants near outside his house around 1:30 am on Saturday.

The police on Monday arrested four people who allegedly attacked TV journalist Herman Gomes in Mumbai. The journalist and his friend were allegedly beaten up by four unidentified miscreants near outside his house around 1:30 am on Saturday. "I was attacked by four people out of nowhere.. I have got six stitches on my right eye. All I can say is, these people were waiting for me for a long time. It was not a last-minute provocation. They stood ready for the attack. They thrashed my friend as well and took away his mobile phone," Gomes said. Gomes also took to social media to share the ordeal."I was attacked by an unknown group of people right outside my Bombay House.. It was clearly pre planned. They were armed with a knuckle duster. I always mind my own business and do stories that I firmly Believe in. Last night was something different and they came out to KILL me. My eye is badly affected and so is my body. I don`t know which story affected people so much. I don`t know these people too. Mumbai Police has asked a senior IPS officer to look after the case. FIR filed at Gamdevi Police station shortly. I managed to take on 2 people but another group was waiting to take on me at the backI`ve got 6 stitches around my eye, among others . My family and I are affected," Gomes on Facebook.

4 arrested for attacking journalist in Mumbai