Editors’ Guild condemns assault

The Editors’ Guild of India on Saturday condemned the attack on the IBN-Lokmat offices in Mumbai and Pune by Shiv Sena activists, demanding that the government immediately identify the perpetrators and take action against them.

The Editors’ Guild of India on Saturday condemned the attack on the IBN-Lokmat offices in Mumbai and Pune by Shiv Sena activists, demanding that the government immediately identify the perpetrators and take action against them.

“The guild unanimously states (that) such violence is unacceptable and strongly condemns not only such acts but also the mindset behind this,” guild president Rajdeep Sardesai and Secretary General K.S. Sachidananda Murthy said in a statement.

Dozens of Shiv Sainiks descended on the offices of IBN-Lokmat in Mumbai and Pune on Friday and assaulted staff members, including journalists, for carrying reports that allegedly showed Sena leader Bal Thackeray in a bad light.

The guild demanded that the government immediately identify all those who instructed the mob to attack and ensure they are brought to justice.

“The attacks on two offices cannot just be dismissed as an act of mere vandalism,” it said.