TN parties condemn killing of TV journalist

Political parties and Chennai Press Club on Monday condemned the brutal murder of Tamil television channel journalist Moses by anti-social elements for reporting on illicit sale of ganja.

Moses was killed by a group on Sunday night.

The journalist stepped out of his house on being requested by an acquaintance, an adolescent, and when he reached a nearby spot, three men joined them. "Three men in addition to a juvenile were there on the spot and they murdered him," a police official told.

Condemning the killing, DMK President M.K.Stalin said Moses exposed the sales of ganja at Kundrathur and was getting threats.

His father had lodged a police complaint, but no action was taken on that. On Sunday night, Moses was called out by some people and hacked to death, he said.

Stalin charged the AIADMK government and the police with giving protection to gangs selling ganja while remaining silent when journalists are killed.

Condeming the killing of Moses, MMK leader M.H. Jawahirullah said the killing shows the pathetic levels of journalists' safety in Tamil Nadu.

He also demanded the state government to pay Moses' family financial compensation.

Chennai Press Club Joint Secretary Bharathi Tamizhan said the hands of anti-social elements like sand mafia, ganja gangs, land grabbers and others are on the high and as a result, a journalist  has been killed.

He said Chief Minister K. Palaniswami who has the Home Portfolio, should intervene and order strong action and ensure safety of journalists by enacting suitable law.

Tamizhan also urged the state government to pay compensation to the family of Moses.