Mumbai Press Club condemns attack on Dinakaran office

Mumbai, May 10 (UNI) The Press Club, Mumbai has condemned the violent attack on the Dinakaran newspaper office at Madurai yesterday by followers of M K Azhagiri, son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

In a statement here, the Press Club expressed shock that violent mob broke into Dinakaran's office, set fire to the entire building and killed three staff members of the press.

It is unfortunate that various political parties have often made newspaper offices, the target of their ire when they find news and reports unpalatable. The freedom of press to report and provide critical comment is a cornerstone of the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression. The State government is expected to guard these fundamental rights and no group of lumpens can be allowed to run amuck in this manner, the statement said.

The Press Club of Mumbai calls upon the Tamil Nadu government to immediately arrest the culprits involved in killing the press staff and to prosecute them under law, it said.

The statement further said to condemn the dastardly attack and to uphold press freedom, a joint protest meeting has been called by Press Club of Mumbai, Mumbai Electronic Media Association, BMC Varthahar Sangh and Mantralaya Vidhi Mandal Varthahar Sangh at the Azad Maidan, Near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) tommorow at 1300 hrs, the statement added.

UNI