Newspaper office attacked

Vellore, Sep 2 (UNI) About 200 people here today attacked the office of ''Vellore Dinamalar'', protesting the publication of a cartoon, allegedly depicting a religious head in bad taste.

After the local people staged a protest yesterday, the daily came out with an explanation this morning, that the publication of the cartoon was not intended to hurt any section of the society.

However, not conviced by the explanation, a group of about 200 people gathered in front of the office and raised slogans.

When the Police used mild force to disperse them,they hurled stones at the office. They also damaged the windscreens of couple of buses at the bus stand.

Chennai Press Club, condemning the incident, said attack on the daily was an attack on journalists, freedom of press and democracy.

It demanded immediate action against the culprits.

BJP state unit President L Ganesan, condemned the incident,saying the attack on the office of the daily, questioned the freedom of press.

UNI XR/WS SK RAI1903