Action would be initiated against employees of Kailaras relay station of Doordarshan near in Madhya Pradesh after pornographic material of a 'Russian television channel' was transmitted instead of DD-1 channel prompting residents to stage demonstrations last week, a senior official said on Monday.

"Prima facie probe confirms negligence on part of the relay station staff in transmitting pornographic material of a Russian TV channel instead of DD-1 on November 4," Doordarshan Regional Manager (Gwalior) Man Singh Verma said.

Statements of staff members were being recorded and punitive action will be taken against those responsible for the goof up, Verma said.

Residents of the town were taken aback when pornographic material was being telecast in place of the English news at 8 pm on DD-1 for several minutes, sources said.

An angry crowd later staged a demonstration accusing Doordarshan employees of using the relay station to watch pornographic material while on duty, besides demanding action against those involved in it, they said.

Doordarshan officials initially termed it as a 'technical fault due to fluctuations in frequencies', but later launched probe into the matter.

Most of the staff members who were on duty when the incident took place have been on leave since then. The statements would be recorded after they return, Verma said.