Attacks on Media

India : Main Culprit must be arrested in TN Attack

10 Mar, 2020

The Indian Journalists Union condemns the brutal attack on Kumadam reporter M Karthi by AIADMK supporters in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu. Though two persons have been arrested yesterday, the IJU demands the police investigate thoroughly and expose the main persons at whose behest the journalist was attacked.

The reporter, who is undergoing treatment at the Sivakasi hospital for serious multiple injuries was assaulted by AIADMK supporters Pandiarajan and his friend Poomurugan with an iron rod on Tuesday night apparently for his news report suggesting infighting between ruling AIADMK Minister for Milk and Dairy Development KT Rajenthra Balaji and Sattur MLA MSR Rajavarman, and who had an upper hand. According to the FIR lodged, Karthi complained before he was assaulted around 9 p.m. he received a call from a man regarding his report and suspects it was from Minister Balaji, though the person gave another name.

In a statement, IJU President Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General and IFJ Vice President Sabina Inderjit said the attack yet again reveals the growing intolerance by the political establishment against critical reporting. The ruling AIADMK government must caution its ministers and legislators against trying to silence the press through such cowardly actions and must commit to protecting freedom of press and right of citizens to information. The journalists in the State, it added, must follow the case to its logical conclusion.