Journo blames inspector for attack, scribes stage protest

G. Muthuvel (38), a part-time reporter and resident of Thamaraimozhi village near Thattarmadam of Sathankulam block, was allegedly attacked by the gang at Thattarmadam bazaar area around 9.30 pm on Wednesday when the victim was engaged in repair works at a shop, sources said.

The victim suffered blows on his head, shoulder and finger while attempting to block the attack with a sickle, sources said. He was then admitted to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital.

It was alleged that Gajendran, the Thattarmadam Inspector of Police, instigated the attack against Muthuvel after a news channel reported his inaction against illegal sand mining and portrayed him in bad light. After the Inspector’s attempts to silence the journalist for stirring up trouble against him had failed, he schemed to carry out the attack, the victim’s relatives claimed.

Condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with the victim, fellow journalists lodged protest demonstrations in Madurai and other southern districts, including Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari, on Thursday. Thoothukudi Press Club members submitted a petition to Thoothukudi Superintendent of Police Murali Rambha seeking necessary action and requesting to ensure the safety of journalists.

The Thoothukudi SP, when contacted, denied any involvement of the accused Inspector in the attack and added that Shanmuganathan (42), who allegedly attacked Muthuvel, was arrested overnight following the incident. While Shanmuganathan was said to have confessed to the crime over previous enmity, the Inspector was shifted to the Armed Reserve in the district for reportedly some other reason.