The scribes of violence-hit Bastar region staged a dharna in Jagdalpur on Sunday over the killing of journalist Sai Reddy and handed over memorandum addressed to Governor and Chief Minister on Sunday. Sai Reddy was murdered by some suspected Maoists in Basaguda weekly market of insurgency hit Bijapur district on December 6.
The dharna was called by Bastar Jila Patrakar Sangh near Commissioner Office. The president of Sangh S Karimuddin informed that a police outpost and a CRPF camp is located in Basaguda area where Sai Reddy was killed in full public view and in broad daylight. Earlier, another journalist Nemichand Jain was also murdered by Maoist in Sukma and the State Government had assured steps would be initiated to ensure safety of journalists.
He questioned, “journalists are taking life risks for brining news before people of the State in the violence-torn Bastar region then why police and administration are neglecting in providing security to the scribesIJ” They demanded economic assistance of Rs 20 lakh for the family members of Sai Reddy and a Government job for one family member.
Apart from it the journalists also demand formation of an action plan for safety and welfare of scribes in Naxal violence hit Bastar region. Representative of political parties and civil society also participated in the protest.