Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, June 21: Journalists from the city gathered at the Press Club of Odisha Sunday to protest the brutal killing of Shahjahanpur-based journalist Jagendra Singh, at the behest of Uttar Pradesh’s dairy development minister Ram Murti Verma earlier this month.
Senior journalists, including Soumyajit Pattnaik (OTV), Jayasish Ray (Sambad Kalika), Siddharth Kanungo, (PTI), Debi Pattanaik (UNI bureau chief), Dilip Satpathy (Business Standard), Meera Mohanty (Economic Times), Annapurna Das (Dinalipi) and Tathagata Satpathy (Editor of Orissa POST and Dharitri), were among those who spoke and offered their condolences to the bereaved family.
The deceased journalist had stated in his dying declaration that police raided his house and set him on fire at the behest of minister Verma.
The assembly of journalists expressed their horror not only at the incident but also at the inaction of the UP government in bringing the culprits to book. A decision was taken at the meeting to send petitions to the President of India, Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and Allahabad High Court, and the Governor and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, seeking swift justice in the case.
President of the press club Tathagata Satpathy spoke of the need for journalists to unite as a fraternity in order to combat the odds. “Media has a prime role to play in making sure democracy in our country flourishes. The shameful incident in Uttar Pradesh is a dark period in the history of Indian journalism. It is of paramount importance now for working journalists to unite and fight together to secure a safe working environment for journalists,” Satpathy said.
“The incident in Uttar Pradesh has pained the media fraternity across the country. This is time for all of us to stand together for a cause so that such horrific incidents never occur in Orissa. I hope today’s meet results in tangible outcomes which can pave a way for fearless working conditions for scribes,” said Jayasish Ray, who is also a trustee of the club.
“The disturbing news of the scribe’s death in Uttar Pradesh has come as a shock. I hope, through our initiatives, our voices will be heard by authorities,” said Siddharth Kanungo.
“The incident is condemnable and a fair probe is required to prosecute the guilty. We, through the press club, would like to raise the matter with the right authorities. We would like to press for a CBI probe into the matter while requesting authorities to grant compensation for the irreparable loss to the bereaved family of the journalist,” said Debi Pattanaik.
