Cong condemns attack on Loksatta editor

The Congress high command on Friday instructed the Maharashtra Government to take strict and immediate action against those involved in the attack on Loksatta editor Kumar Ketkar8217;s house at Thane on Thursday, said a high-level party source. The Nationalist Congress Party NCP also issued a showcause notice to its Maharashtra unit vice-president Vinayak Methe, president of the Shiv Sangram Sangathan, for his involvement in the attack.

Criticising the attack, NCP general secretary and chief spokesperson D P Tripathi on Friday clarified that the NCP had nothing to do with the Shiv Sangram Sangathan or any of the people arrested in connection with the crime. 8220;The NCP is committed to freedom of the press and it condemns the attack on the journalists. We consider it hooliganism. We have issued a show cause notice to Mete today. He has a background in the Shiv Sena, which nominated him as an MLC, and this could explain his behaviour. We are taking it very seriously,8221; Tripathi said at a press conference.

The chief spokesperson said the party was not aware of the Shiv Sangram until now. 8220;This group had never attacked anybody in the past. So, how would we know about it?8221; he said.

The All India Congress Committee AICC also condemned the attack in no uncertain terms: 8220;What is wrong is wrong. In a democratic civilised society, it cannot be accepted,8221; AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.