Bhatkal: A young Kannada journalist was beaten black and blue by a group of masked men, seriously injuring his arms and legs. The incident took place on Thursday evening. The injured journalist has been identified as Raghu Malya alias Arjun Malya, 30, who runs a YouTube channel called 'Karavali Samachar'.

For the past two or three years, Malya has been covering local news on social media, while for almost a year now, he has started his own Kannada news YouTube channel on which he reports fearlessly. It is feared that a recent report published by him may have disappointed the angry assaulters, who went on to assault him.

It is learned that at about 6 PM, Malya was on his way home from Bhatkal town to Belke, when a group of six persons on bikes suddenly came on highway, a few distance away from his house, who covered their faces with clothes and began to beat him black and blue with rods and sticks. Due to the sudden assault, Malya fell along with his bike, after which he was further beaten and after several beatings, the assailants fled leaving him on the road in agony. Malya's arm and one leg were seriously injured in the attack. It is learned that a passing auto driver saw him lying on the road in critical condition and rushed him to Bhatkal Government Hospital, from where Malya has been shifted to Kundapur after first aid. 

On receiving the information, Bhatkal rural PSI Bharath along with other officials rushed to the Govt hospital and inquired about the incident. Later a police team from Bhatkal reached Kundapur hospital to collect the details about the assailants.

It is said that a few days ago, Malya had reported about illegal gambling centers, in view of which Malya's father has expressed suspicion that the gambling mafia may be behind this attack.

Bhatkal's press reporters have condemned the incident and have expressed grave concern over the attack of a journalist on the National Highway in broad daylight.