Yechury condemns attack on IBN news channels

New Delhi, Nov 22 (ANI): Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s politburo member Sitaram Yechury has condemned the vandalisation of IBN news channels in Mumbai by the Shiv Sena activists.

Interacting with the media on the sidelines of a world communist leaders meet here Yechury said : "We strongly criticize the kind of violence that the Shiv Sena has indulged in Maharashtra."

"We believe that there is no place for such violence in a democracy. There can be differences in opinions but there are other ways of sorting out differences. Violence and threatening can never provide a solution in a democracy," he added.

On Friday, at least 25 people of the IBN Lokmat and IBN 7 news channels were hurt when Shiv Sena activists attacked their offices in Mumbai and Pune.

On Saturday, a Thane court remanded 17 people accused of vandalizing these offices to two days' police custody.

Police officials said Shiv Sena party's lawmaker Sanjay Raut's brother masterminded the attack on the offices.

The attack on the IBN office was allegedly sparked off by negative reports about the Shiv Sena and its chief Balasaheb Thackeray.

Media networks across the country have condemned the incident saying it amounts to a clear attack on press freedom. (ANI)