NDTV's office in Ahmedabad was on Saturday smashed by hockey stick-wielding activists of a right wing Hindu fundamentalist group, the channel reported. The Shiv Sena, which has been involved in similar attacks elsewhere, denied that it was involved in any way.
Members of the Hindu Samrajya Sena group forced their way in and beat two employees with hockey sticks and steel pipes. They broke all the furniture, doors, windows, airconditioners, computers, phones, television sets and technical equipment.
After this they put up posters and banners, proclaiming NDTV anti-national and a traitor because the channel ran an opinion poll, asking who should be awarded the Bharat Ratna. One of the choices was painter M F Husain.
NDTV called the police and even the commissioner of Police. But no one showed up for one hour, even though the NDTV office is just 15 minutes away from the police station.
Finally, the home minister promised action. ''This is very wrong. I condemn the attack. The police are investigating. Strict action will be taken,'' said Amit Shah, Gujarat Home Minister.
Two days before the attack, Hindu Samrajya Sena chief Ashok Sharma had visited the office, warning it not to run anything on Husain.
After the attack, he called the office and claimed responsibility for the incident, but said he himself was not present during the attack. His group has been involved in earlier attacks.
