IFJ horrified at attack on 'Dinakaran' office

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is horrified by the deaths of three employees from the Tamil daily Dinakaran, a result of violent protests and arson attacks on the newspaper's office on Wednesday May 9 in Madurai. IFJ has said "this appalling act of violence is a gross violation on the freedom of speech and media safety in India."

IFJ President Christopher Warren said the shocking scenes sent a sobering message to the international community. "The deaths of Kumar, Gopinath and Muthramalingam are sad proof that journalists are not the only victims when the press is forcibly silenced; all media workers are at risk."

The fire was reportedly started by a mob of angry supporters of a faction of the political party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), who hurled petrol bombs and stones.

The mob also ransacked and deliberately locked the building to trap staff inside; the survivors had to break window panes and scale down walls to escape the fire, according to local reports.

"It is abominable that protesters are violently venting their frustrations on the media, the very people they rely on for information during these politically volatile times." Warren said.

The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for the one day on May 10, following the uproarious scenes over the attack on the offices of Dinakaran newspaper in Madurai in Tamil Nadu.

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