The Vijayawada Task Force police detained and allegedly assaulted a photojournalist with the 'Eenadu' newspaper, near the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's camp office on Friday.
According to reports, the incident occurred when the journalist was taking a photograph of an ambulance near the office, when several police surrounded him.
The journalist alleged that he was then taken to the police station adjacent to the camp office, where he was physically assaulted.
He also claimed that the police snatched his camera, even as he showed them his identity card.
The police have since clarified that it was a misunderstanding, as they thought that the journalist was taking photos of the police station, and it was perceived as a security threat.
The police officer in-charge at the time, also apologised for the incident.
Around a dozen journalists gathered at the Suryaopet police station to register their protest and condemn the incident.
They submitted a letter to the station, and sat on a 'dharna' outside, raising slogans.
"We are also doing a duty like you are doing a duty. We are also doing a service for the people and working for them," one of the protesters said.
This incident came just days after a reporter from another local Telugu channel, TV5, was attacked by a doctor at Rajahmundry.
According to reports, the doctor attacked the journalist when he exposed some irregularities in the former’s business and practice.
The incident got out of hand when the doctor tried snatching the mike from the reporter on live TV. He later allegedly thrashed the reporter and even damaged the TV camera.
After several journalist unions protested, the incident reached state Home Minister N Chinna Rajappa.
The Minister met the injured journalist and condemned the attack. He also said that he had seen the video and a case had been registered.
He said action would be initiated against those who were guilty.