Attack on TV channel: Sardesai to meet Maha CM

Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai will meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan in Mumbai on Saturday to lodge a formal protest over the attack on the offices of TV channel IBN-Lokmat.

Sardesai will meet Chavan in his capacity as the president of the Editors Guild, along with several senior journalists, and discuss the issue with the chief minister, TV Journalists Association president Ravindra Ambekar said.

Journalists will also stage a demonstration at Hutatma Chowk at 1 pm on Saturday to condemn the attack, he said.

In coordinated attacks, alleged Shiv Sena activists today vandalised the offices of IBN-Lokmat in Mumbai and Pune, assaulting its staff and creating mayhem.

Meanwhile, strongly condemning the attack, Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil on Friday night said the government was committed to protecting journalists.

"It is the responsibility of all to ensure the freedom of the media in a democracy and if some parties are acting contrary to this, the government will initiate stringent measures," Patil told reporters.

Describing the attack as 'a cowardly act', the home minister said those who were behind it will not be spared.

Asked about Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Sanjay Raut defending the attack, Patil said it was strange on the part of Raut, who is not only a Member of Parliament but also an editor, to justify the uncivilised act.