Kozhikode, January 3: Enraged over the attack on media persons by pro-Hindutva cadres in the 'hartal' called on Wednesday, a large section of Kerala journalists boycotted the press conferences addressed later in the day by top BJP leaders of the state. The decision to boycott the pressers was taken by the district committees of Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ).

Journalists affiliated to the KUWJ in Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kottayam decided not to cover the BJP leaders' statements as the protesters supported by them resorted to violence against the journalists. Pic of Weeping Camerawoman Shajila Abdulrehman Abused By Goons For Doing Her Job Goes Viral.

Several scribes and TV reporters not associated with the KUWJ also extended support to the boycott of BJP pressers.

"Harthal supporters were very brutal towards journalist. Camera persons and reporters who were covering their protests were attacked, their equipments were damaged. The protesters wanted to make sure that no visuals went on the air," said Arya Dinesh, associated with News 18 Kerala, told LatestLY.

"To protest the undemocratic nature of the BJP-supported protests, the KUWJ decided not to attend the press meets of BJP leaders today," she added.

Among the BJP leaders who faced empty chairs at the press conferences, include the party's state president PS Sreedharan Pillai and state general secretary K Surendran. They were scheduled to address the press in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, respectively.

The dawn-to-dusk hartal was called to protest against the entry of two women  of menstruating age inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala.

The protests was called by the Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of pro-Hindutva groups, and the Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP).

The protests turned into clashes in some districts, where the CPI(M) and BJP workers hurled petrol bombs and stones at each other. A 55-year-old man, who sustained injuries due to the pelting of stones in Pandalam, succumbed to death later in the day.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2019 10:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).