A reporter working for a private television channel was allegedly attacked and stabbed by a group of persons at Muthupettai in Tiruvarur district, late Monday.

The victim, identified as Hajamaitheen, 37, a reporter with a private Tamil television channel, sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment at Thanjavur Government Medical College Hospital.

According to police sources, the incident occurred around 11.30 p.m. on Monday when Abdul Basith, 20, along with a few others, allegedly came to the journalist’s residence on Mosque Street in Muthupettai and called him outside under the pretext of seeking help.

Police said an argument broke out between the two, during which Abdul Basith allegedly attacked Hajamaitheen with a bottle. The injured journalist was initially admitted to the Government Hospital in Muthupettai and later referred to Thanjavur Government Hospital for further treatment.

In a press statement, Tiruvarur District Police said preliminary inquiry revealed that the attack stemmed from a personal dispute and was not related to the victim’s profession as a journalist.

The police claimed that the accused confronted Hajamaitheen over his alleged association with a woman related to one of the accused persons and that the quarrel escalated into violence.

Police also refuted reports circulated by certain media outlets that the attack was linked to ganja consumption or the journalist’s professional work. Abdul Basith was arrested and remanded in judicial custody, police said.

Meanwhile, R.S. Bharathi, organising secretary of the DMK, condemned the attack and urged the State government to take stringent action to safeguard press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists in Tamil Nadu.