THIS refers to your report, ‘Case against manhandled reporter amid media debate’ (Oct 22) and a TV talk show (Oct 21) on the subject.

The comments of her fellow fellow journalists were not only unfair but also hurtful. This was a case of gross misconduct on the part of the security guard of the Frontier Constabulary, which should have been condemned in the strongest words with a demand for his summary dismissal This would have acted as a deterrent.

Instead, the senior colleagues of the poor reporter started talking of professional ethic, lack of training, etc. and held the reporter, too, responsible for the unfortunate incident and allowed space for the repetition of such incidents.

I fear it will make even the movement of ordinary women freely in the marketplace a little risky, because the law-enforcers will now be within their right to feel that they can slap a woman for ordinary lapses and even for the fun of it publicly and may go scot-free.

Law enforcers are servants of the people and they are required to treat people in a friendly way and with due courtesy, especially when dealing with respectable citizens and not hardened criminals. Even if the reporter had tried to grab the collar of the guard, the latter should have exercised restraint — that was actually his call of duty.

Sara Hasan

Karachi

Published in Dawn October 25th, 2016