BHAYANDAR: In yet another brazen attack on the media, local scribe and Right to Information (RTI) activist Irba Konapure was brutally assaulted by the notorious lodge mafia in Kashimira. Incidentally, the attack which took place in the presence of two senior government officials attached to the revenue department, coincided with the eve of World Press Freedom Day on Thursday.
Three people, including the lodge owner, identified as Shyam Korde (45) and his accomplices Yogesh Gowda (45) and Gopal Gowda (28) have been arrested and booked under sections of the IPC for robbery, attack and wrongful confinement.
Konapure had registered complaints against Hotel Sona – a lodge which had illegally sprung on government land in Kashimira. The trio mounted a murderous assault on Konapure who sustained severe injuries and has been admitted to a private hospital in Mira Road.
Meanwhile, the MBMC started razing the illegal structure on Friday evening. World Press Day is observed on May 3, to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect the right to freedom of expression. –
