Members of the People’s Democratic Human Rights of India (PDHRI) last week submitted a memorandum to Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal seeking his intervention for promulgating a law to protect working journalists of the State.
The journalists, who serve the masses by reporting their day-to-day problems, are in danger on the eve of the general elections. Attacks on journalists are on the rise. Prameya newspaper reporter Kapilendra Pradhan was attacked in a cinema hall at Bhubaneswar on January 26. The Samaja chief circulation manager was robbed and hacked to death. In another case, Kumaresh Nayak of Kamyab TV was slaughtered. A reporter of Kendrapada district was stabbed on January 30. Paradip reporter of OTV was attacked and seriously wounded by a particular political party supporter while collecting reports. Besides, Prameya reporter Bikram Acharya of Puri has been hospitalised in a critical condition after an attack on him.
The frequent attacks on journalists may turn into a great threat to democracy on the election-eve if no strict steps are taken from now, the memorandum read.
PDHRI State Committee president Gadadhar Das and Central Committee secretary Lingaraj Sahoo demanded immediate arrest of the goons involved in the crimes against journalists.