Editors Guild of India condemns attack on Kerala journalists

New Delhi, Apr 9 (ANI): The Editors Guild of India has condemned the attack on journalists of 'Manorama News' at an election rally in Puthanathani in Kerala's allappuram District of Kerala on April 7.

The journalists S. Mahesh and V J Moncy who had gone to the rally for regular coverage had a rude shock when a speaker announced that a news channel had flashed the news that the CPM supported candidate was not allowed to join the Chief Minister on the stage.

The journalists were surrounded by members of the CPM. Even when the journalists said their channel had not given any such flash news, the journalists were beaten up.

The reporter Mahesh was forcibly taken to the stage and was held hostage by menacing workers.

Other journalists, who protested the attack on their fellow scribes, were also surrounded by the angry mob and threatened.

By then Mahesh had been subjected to further assault. Moncy, who had been thrashed, was taken to police station. The journalists have been hospitalised.

This act of hooliganism is unacceptable and the Guild urges the Kerala Government and the police to prosecute the hooligans who assaulted the journalists, who were doing their duty.

The government and the Election Commission must provide foolproof security to journalists who cover the general elections. (ANI)