Makkal TV, CPI (M) offices ransacked, allegedly by each other party cadres

Following Makkal TV’s telecast alleging the death of senior CPI(M) leader W R Varadrajan was not suicide yesterday, there were incidence of attack on the Makkal TV and the CPI (M) offices, one after another, in Chennai on Friday.

PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss’ Makkal TV office was ransacked allegedly by CPI(M) workers protesting its report for giving a murder angle to Varadarajan's death, whose decomposed body was recovered from Porur lake after he went missing.

Police said about 100 CPI-M workers had gathered outside the news channel's office in Nungambakkam and attack was carried out. Window panes were broken and some property and equipment were damaged, including vehicles. Makkal TV employees alleged some of their colleagues were injured in the incident, which Ramadoss described as proof of "violent culture practised by the Marxists."

A group of PMK party workers in retaliation allegedly ransacked the CPI (M) headquarters in Chennai, damaging vehicles parked outside and office furniture and property, police said.

CPI (M) state secretary G Ramakrishnan denied involvement of party cadre in the attack on the TV office and said somebody wanted to keep the issue (Varadarajan's death) "alive".

Police have arrested 92 CPI (M) cadres and 14 PMK party workers and registered cases.

In the meantime journalists organizations in the city—Chennai Press Club, All Media Journalists Association, Tamilnadu Union of Journalists and Chennai Union of Journalists—have condemned the attack on the news channel as press freedom was a casualty, and wanted immediate action on the attackers.

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- Asian Tribune -