May 30, 2003	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 27,1424

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LAHORE, May 29: Journalists boycotted the Punjab Assembly proceedings on Thursday for the second consecutive day and staged a demonstration to protest against the beating up of some reporters by police on Wednesday.

Reporters and photographers wore black arm bands, carried placards and raised slogans in front of the assembly.

Office-bearers of journalists associations, the Punjab Assembly Press Gallery and the Lahore Press Club condemned the police violence on reporters and photographers and the failure of the government to take action against those responsible for it.

They said instead of offering formal apology the government must ensure protection of journalists during the performance of their duties.

Earlier, representatives of journalists’ bodies decided that the budget session would also be boycotted if the government failed to suspend and initiate action against four police officers responsible for Wednesday’s incident.