Maha journos demand law against attacks; stage protests

Mumbai, Feb 15 (PTI) Journalists in Maharashtra todaystaged demonstrations, demanding immediate enactment of alegislation against attacks on mediapersons.

"Protests were held at all district headquarters and alsoin 164 tehsils," convenor of the ''Patrakar Halla Virodhi KritiSamiti'', S M Deshmukh said.

Journalists have been demanding a law to make attacksagainst them a non-bailable and cognisable offence. Last year,they protested at the Mahatma Gandhi statue near Mantralayawearing helmets, against Maharashtra Government''s delay incoming out with the legislation.

"The state government has been assuring us since 2005that it will bring in a legislation on the issue but has nottaken any concrete steps," Deshmukh said.

A delegation of journalists recently met Governor KSankaranarayanan to prevail upon the state government to enactthe law, he said.

Journalists, while doing their duty in collecting news,were increasingly facing violent attacks by those representingpowerful vested interests, local goons and underworld dons,Deshmukh said.