INS demands stringent action against assailants of Manorama scribes

New Delhi, Jun 25 (UNI) The Indian Newspaper Society today(INS) reacted sharply to the attack on three Malyala Manorama journalists and on its office by activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI) in Kottayam, Kerala and demanded that the state government take exemplary action against the culprits.

In a statement here, general secretary of the INS Pawan Chopra urged the government to ensure an atmosphere in which journalists could perform their duty without fear.

He also said that according to the report received by the INS, Manorama News channel reporter Pradeep Joseph was attacked when he was covering the SFI march, and another Manorama staffer Arun Joseph, and photographer Nishad Kurien were also badly injured by the activists when they reached the spot on hearing the news of the attack on their colleague. Afterwards, the activists attacked the office. A driver of the Manorama was also beaten up.

Describing the incidents as unfortunate, the INS general secretary said the state government should see to it that such incidents were not repeated and journalists were not subjected to intimidation where performing of their duties.

UNI NAZ SBC RK1930