The office and press of Lokmat Newspapers, Pune edition, was attacked by a mob on Tuesday night. Stones were pelted at the newspaper's new building, which was to be inaugurated by second week of June, amounting to losses worth Rs 5 lakh to the organisation.
The mob entered the building premises, armed with lathis, and smashed the building's glasses and attacked the security guard. Stones were pelted at the car of Editorial Director, Lokmat, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to set it on fire. No person or organisation has so far taken the responsibility of the attack.
"We have faced similar situations in past where hardliners have tried by such cowardly acts to restrict the fearless policy of journalism which Lokmat follows. However, this does not deter our confidence from making the truth fearlessly reach to the people of Maharashtra," said Nirmal Darda, Director, Editorial.
Darda said that it is a conspiracy and the police is still investigating what really led to this act of vandalism. Denying that this could be a union problem, he said, "This is the work of external elements."
