2 RSS activists arrested, incident 'serious' says chief minister

Two RSS activists were arrested in connection with the alleged attack on a photojournalist of a Malayalam daily at the press club here, police said today.

The two--Dilip Kumar (31) and Shibu (30)--are RSS workers and were arrested last night, police said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government viewed the incident "seriously."

Police have been directed to initiate stringent action against the accused, Vijayan said in a Facebook Post.

The incident occurred when some RSS workers stormed the press club here and allegedly attacked the photographer, Faud Sanea, for having taken a video of their alleged manhandling of a two-wheeler rider during a protest march near here.

"Two persons have been arrested already. Strong action will be taken against the attack on the freedom of the press," Vijayan said.

The two activists have been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days, police said.

A case had been registered against 10 RSS activists under various IPC sections including those related to unlawful assembly and rioting besides the Kerala Public Way Restriction of Assemblies and Procession Act.

The case was registered on a complaint by the photojournalist, who suffered injuries on his legs and had been hospitalised.

Police said trouble broke out when around 150 RSS workers took out the procession protesting the attack on an RSS office in the district a few days ago.

The protesters blocked the road causing traffic snarls.

The two-wheeler rider, on seeing the march, tried to leave the spot but the RSS workers intercepted him and took possession of the vehicle's key, they said.

On seeing Sanea taking some video shots on his mobile phone at that time, a section of the RSS workers barged into the club and allegedly assaulted him and snatched his phone.

Protesting against the RSS action, media personnel in Thiruvanathapuram had taken out a march to the Secretariat last night.