AGNI demands strict action against Shiv Sangram activists

Mumbai, Jun 11 (UNI) Managing trustees and members of Action for Good Governance and Networking in India (AGNI) today demanded strict action by police against the activists of Shiv Sangram, an outfit of NCP, for allegedly attacking the residence of Kumar Ketkar, editor of a Marathi daily 'Loksatta', at Thane last week.

Mr Ketkar's residence was allegedly attacked by the activists, led by former NCP MLA Vinayak Mete.

Addressing the media here, trustees of AGNI said the Maharashtra government and the police should enforce the rule of the land without favour and fear.

AGNI vice-chairman D G Sukhtankar said the attack on Mr Ketkar's residence was ''highly condemnable'' and was akin to attack on the fourth estate.

''After the attack on the public and the social workers, the media is the new target, which has witnessed many attacks in the past,'' said Mr Sukhtankar.

Former Mumbai police commissioner and AGNI trustee, Julio Ribeiro, said the police and the government should act tough against the attackers in every case as it would prove to be a deterrent.

''The attackers have always got away easily and the attacks have always continued as the police and the government have never acted tough on these people,'' he said.

Notably, AGNI activist, James John, was allegedly attacked by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena activists a few months ago, when Mr John was clicking photographs of the people, who were forcibly asking shopkeepers to down the shutters of their shops.

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