'Don't run trial before a trial'

Advocate Anil Kale, an integral part of city civil liberties' movement, criticized the role of the media over its premature broadcast of unconfirmed facts against activists or members of an outfit after security agencies take them into custody.

"The media conducts the trial much before the actual one commences," said Kale. He was speaking on the first day of the two-day National Conference of India Association of Peoples' Lawyer that commenced on Saturday. "Documents in possession for personal reference does not mean that the owner is a Maoist," said Kale.

IAPL president PA Sebastian too was in a belligerent mood. His speech on an aggressive response 'on being provoked' to state repression seem to match the mood of the photograph of Mahatma Gandhi on the wall near the dais, where the messiah of peace is seen in a unique eyes shut pose.