Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today removed its Maharashtra unit Vice-President Vinayak Mete from the post over the attack on the house of the editor of Marathi daily `Loksatta .

State NCP chief Arun Gujrathi announced Mete's removal from the post after a meeting of party leaders here tonight. The matter has also been referred to the party's disciplinary panel, Gujrathi said.

The move follows widespread condemnation of the attack on the Thane residence of the daily's Editor Kumar Ketkar by citizens groups, NGOs and media organisations. Activists of Shiv Sangram organisation, headed by Mete, had attacked Ketkar's house in neighbouring Thane on June five, protesting an editorial on the government's plan to build a memorial for Shivaji Maharaj off Mumbai coast.

The Bombay High Court has rejected Mete and his associate Tanaji Shinde's anticipatory bail plea over the incident. The group attacked Ketkar's house with stones and iron rods and applied asphalt on the door.

When police tried to stop them, they pelted stones at the police van. Ten people were arrested and booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Bombay Police Act.

Source : PTI