Opposition stages walkout over arson in newspaper office

Thiruvananthapuram, June 22 (UNI) The Congress-led Opposition today staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly, protesting against the failure of the Government in arresting persons responsible for arson in 'Mathrubhumi' news bureau in Perambra of Kozhikode district.

Leading the walkout, Leader of the Opposition, Oommen Chandy alleged that a conspiracy between the pro-CPI(M) Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the police was behind the incident, which he described as an attack on Press freedom.

He alleged that the office was set on fire for publishing a news item offending the DYFI in the group politics of the CPI(M). No police protection was given to the office, despite request by local correspondent K T Chandran.

Seeking leave for an adjournment on the issue, Mr Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (Cong) alleged that the CPI(M) was resorting to fascist methods to gag the Press for publishing news stories unfavourable to it.

He said nobody had been arrested in connection with the incident which had taken place with the ''connivance of the police''.

Replying to the notice for the motion, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan assured the House that those responsible for the incident would be booked, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Condemning the incident, he said that the Government viewed it seriously and an Assistant Sub-Inspector responsible for patrolling the area would be suspended.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government was committed to protect Press freedom and attacks on journalists and newspaper establishments would not be tolerated, he said.

Speaker K Radhakrishnan refused leave for the motion following the Minister's statement.

UNI