New Delhi: India this year witnessed the suspected murder of three scribes. Navin Nischal and Vijay Singh of Bihar were hit by a vehicle in the evening hours of 25 March. Both of them died on their way to the hospital.
Next morning, Madhya Pradesh based journalist Sandeep Sharma was deliberately mowed down by a truck. The year 2017 reported the killing of 12 journalists in the country including two casualties in Tripura.
Journalists' Forum Assam has expressed shock at the murder of Syed Shujaat Bukhari, a Srinagar based editor-journalist on Thursday evening and demanded action to nab the culprits at the earliest.
The Assam based scribes' forum regretted that Bukhari becomes the fourth journalist killed in India this year. The chief editor and proprietor of 'Rising Kashmir' was shot dead in Srinagar by a group of militants.
Starting his career in 'Kashmir Times' Bukhari moved to 'Hindu' as its Kashmir correspondent. Lately he established the English daily 'Rising Kashmir'. His two security guards also sustained severe injuries in the shooting. A brave and outspoken journalist Shujaat faced attacks in 2000 and 2006 also, the Forum observed.
His demise was condoled by J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, Union home minister Rajnath Singh, former State chief minister Omar Abdullah, Editors Guild of India, Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Press Club of Jammu with many other individuals and
organizations.
"As everyone in Muslim world was waiting for Eid after the end of holy Ramzan month, Shujaat's killing is so painful. We urge the authority to leave no stone unturned to punish the perpetrators," said a statement issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava
Thakuria. The JFA added that the media fraternity across the nation must stand united to raise voices for justice to the brave heart.(UNI)