The Hindu : Front Page : Sena activists attack IBN offices in Mumbai, Pune

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Sena activists attack IBN offices in Mumbai, Pune

Rahi Gaikwad

Journalists, including women, beaten up; property damaged

— Photo: AFP

VANDALISM: Broken glass, upturned chairs and shocked faces at the offices of IBN7 and IBN Lokmat in Mumbai after an attack by Shiv Sena activists on Friday.

Mumbai: In a shocking incident threatening the freedom of speech and expression in Maharashtra, a group of Shiv Sainiks on Friday led an outrageous attack on the offices of leading news channels IBN Lokmat and IBN7 in Mumbai and Pune. They vandalised the offices with sticks and beat up journalists, including women.

Praveen Mudholkar, Associate Editor of the Marathi channel IBN Lokmat, said in a statement:

“The first attack was in Mumbai, where around 15 Sena activists barged into the office at Vikhroli and started beating up journalists. They also damaged property. Five of the attackers were nabbed by the staffers and beaten up.

“The second attack was on IBN’s office in Pune, which was ransacked. Suspected Sena workers were pelting stones in Pune. In yet another incident, an IBN outdoor broadcast van was also attacked.”

Five people sustained minor injuries in the attack. Some arrests were made in Mumbai and Pune.

Nikhil Wagle, head of IBN Lokmat, was a target of the attacks. He is known for his outspoken views against the Sena’s politics.

Sena’s frustration

Mr. Wagle said: “I don’t know why they have targeted us. The Sena is a divided party taking out its frustration [for electoral losses]. The media has become a soft target. I was having lunch in the canteen around 3.45 p.m. when I saw some 15 people entering the office with sticks. They broke the glass at the reception and slapped the receptionist. Then they saw me and said, ‘This is the man who criticises the Sena,’ and threw a chair at me. They slapped me two to three times. Women were also not spared.”

The attacks were prompted by alleged misquoting of Sena supremo Bal Thackeray’s article on Sachin Tendulkar. Sanjay Raut, Sena MP and editor of the party mouthpiece Saamna, admitted the attackers were Sainiks.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page