Calcutta journalists protest attacks

Hundreds of journalists have marched through the Indian city of Calcutta in protest.

They were demonstrating against what they said were worsening attacks by supporters of the ruling Left Front in West Bengal state.

The protestors accuse party activists of assaulting 10 reporters inside the state government building, where the journalists were covering a union protest.

They say a television crew was also attacked by the activists during local council elections.

The journalists say the Front has become increasingly intolerant because it has suffered a loss of public support, reflected in its election defeats.

For their part, the Front accuses the press of taking the side of the opposition.

After the rally, representatives of the Calcutta Press Club met senior state ministers to request better security for the journalists.

The ministers said they were upset by the attacks, but gave no assurances.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service