Condemning the `cowardly' act in a press release, Mathew stated that the murder was an attempt to gag the press, adding that ``it cannot be tolerated under any circumstances''. He stated that despite the threats, the press would continue to play its designated role and not succumb to any pressure.

Mathew went on to deplore the increasing tendency of groups of people to take the law into their hands, in response to articles published in a newspaper ``not palatable to them''. ``Instead of approaching the paper in a civilised manner to correct any alleged inaccuracy, it is unfortunate that the route being adopted often is to subject mediapersons to wanton physical assaults or to inflict damage to properties andequipment and newspaper establishments,'' he said.

The INS president also urged the Union Home Minister, Lt Governor of Delhi and all concerned to take immediate steps to find out the culprits and also to take measures to safeguard the lives of mediapersons. He further stated that the press could not be intimidated in this manner. ``A free press cannot be cowed down by such acts perpetrated by hooligans. And the authorities owe it to the society to provide adequate protection to mediapersons, who are seekers of the truth,'' Mathew said.