The Human Rights Forum (HRF) condemns the attack on the Vizag office premises of the Deccan Chronicle on Wednesday by a group of students and women functionaries belonging to the Telugu Desam Party’s affiliates. The mob torched the newspaper’s display board with petrol and also destroyed furniture.
According to reports, the mob was aggressive and abusive with Chronicle employees including women journalists. They were angry about a report published in the newspaper regarding the ongoing issue of privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Instead of clarifying their point of view through a rejoinder or other democratic means, these activists, reportedly belonging to the Telugu Nadu Students Federation and the ruling party’s women’s wing, resorted to unabashed violence.
This is brazen criminality and all those who took part in the violence must be prosecuted under the law.
VS Krishna
HRF AP&TG Coordination Committee member
11.07.2024
Visakhapatnam