Bhubaneswar, July 9 -- New Delhi: The Press Council of India on Thursday sought comments from the governments of Punjab and Odisha in connection with reported attacks on journalists in these two states.

The Press Council of India (PCI) said it has taken suo motu cognizance of alleged targeting of journalists during the COVID-19 lockdown period in both the states.

In one incident, purportedly an FIR was lodged against Jai Singh Chibbar, reporter, Punjabi Jagran newspaper for writing a news report about an unnamed minister, and in a separate incident, Major Singh Punjabi of Rozana Pehredar newspaper was allegedly tortured by two ASIs of Mohali Police Station, the PCI said.

"The Press Council of India strongly condemns torture or physical...