The Hindu : Kerala News : Widespread protests against attack on scribes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Widespread protests against attack on scribes

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, NOV. 2. The State remained in turmoil for the second consecutive day today over the roughing up of mediapersons who had gone to the Karipur airport on Monday to cover the return of the Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, after performing `Umarah' at Mecca allegedly by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) workers for reporting the disclosures made by Rejina, a witness in the ice-cream parlour sex racket case.

While Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi were the hubs of the turmoil, developments relating to the issue were reported from many other places also.

A fast was held here before the Secretariat by LDF leaders to protest the incident. The Leader of the Opposition, V. S. Achuthanandan, who inaugurated the fast, and the others who spoke, including the CPI(M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, condemned the attack as "an onslaught on the freedom of the press" and demanded stringent action. They lashed out at the police for their inaction.

The arrival of a march in support of Mr. Kunhalikutty organised by the Muslim League suddenly surcharged the atmosphere. The Muslim League workers, who were in a belligerent mood, started flexing their muscles at, among others, the presspersons but beat a hasty retreat when they realised that they were outnumbered. It was only after their exit that demonstrations by feeder organisations of the LDF reached the scene.

Journalists injured

Meanwhile, Mr. Kunhalikutty was biding his time in a hotel in Kochi where he reached this morning for a business meeting, because of the press corps waiting outside. The police had to use force, injuring 15 journalists, to help him leave the place after nearly two hours. The presspersons were waiting by the time Mr. Kunhalikutty reached the capital city. He was whisked away by the police from the airport and taken to the venue of a meeting of the UDF which had been scheduled for the day much in advance. They dispersed only after waving black flags at Mr. Kunhalikutty.

March held

The journalists of Kozhikode took out a march to the office of the IG demanding action against those responsible for the attack. The Alappuzha district office of the Industries Department was damaged when an AIYF march in protest against the attack on journalists turned violent.

The Delhi unit of the KUWJ also took out a march, according to reports reaching here. The members of the unit submitted a memorandum to the Revenue Minister, K.M. Mani, who was in the national capital at the end of the march.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala