Students from organisations such as the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest here on Friday demanding the release of TV reporter Naveen Soorinje in connection with the Mangalore homestay attack case.
They also demanded the resignation of Home Minister R. Ashok. Writer and actor G.K. Govinda Rao told presspersons that the journalist had only done his duty recording the attack and had tipped off the police. “This matter needs to be probed. You cannot charge a man who has only done his job,” he added.
Intensifying protests
SFI district vice-president Yuvaraj M.P. said the protests would intensify if Mr. Soorinje was not released immediately. All-India Democratic Women’s Association activist Vimala K.S. demanded that all cases against Mr. Soorinje be withdrawn.
Condemning the arrest in a press note, she said the government was safeguarding the interests of the homestay attackers and arrested the one who brought the incident into limelight.
“There is proof that he made calls to the police and the attack was planned and was done to appease communal forces,” she said.
