The Press Club and Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists today said a media team was assaulted by CRPF jawans at Miao in Changlang district terming such 'action' as unacceptable.

"What can we expect from others when people who are supposed to protect us start attacking", the two organizations lamented threatening to take the issue at the highest forum.

The media team comprising Pranjal Bhuyan of DY365, Tom Simai (Independent Review & Terik Weekly), Pisi Zauing (The Miao Times) and Nong Yongkuk (Protidin & Jonombhumi) allegedly faced the brunt of jawans' fury when they went to cover the Chakma issue yesterday.

The jawans, led by its Major L C Sharma and Captain Hoshiyar Singh, turned on the media contingent at Upper Bazar, Miao as it went there for reporting a scuffle between the jawans and the local youths, the journalists said.

"The jawans manhandled Simai and broke his mobile phone, tried to snatch the camera of DY365 (a private TV news channel) while forcing him to delete all the footage besides hurling abuses," another mediaperson complained.

The scuffle between the jawans and local youths was preceded by locals blaming the CRPF that the personnel could not prevent burning of houses by Chakma refugees over a land dispute at M' Pen village on December 25 last.

CRPF sources said the jawans were manhandled by the locals when they went to the area and reinforcements were sent to bring the situation under control.