Red Rage against Scribes

Naxalites have sent death threats to some journalists in the Naxal-affected districts of Gadchiroli and Chadrapur. The immediate provocation is the anti-Naxal awareness campaign launched by journalists to educate tribals against aligning with Naxalites. The threats, in the form of letters received a week ago, warn of dire consequences and an immediate suspension of the journalists’ activities. The letters are addressed individually to the persons concerned. One of those who received such threats, Suresh Dwadeshiwar, resident editor of the Marathi daily Lokmat, says: “These handwritten notes have been delivered to our offices. We have decided not to cow down to their threats by seeking protection.”