Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that two journalists were crushed to death in Biharon March 25, 2018, allegedly by a former Mukhia, raising a big question mark on the safety of scribes. The accused reportedly had heated arguments with the journalists and threatened them with dire consequences and soon after this both were crushed to death. The Indian Federation Working Journalist (IFWJ) has strongly condemned the incident calling for stern action against the accused.
This is the fourth incident of journalists killing in the past two years indicating how they have become the soft targets of miscreants. The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), Bihar, calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks, according to an NHRC release.
The Commission has observed that if the deceased journalists have actually been targeted as indicated in the news report, it is indeed a serious threat for a civilized society. The state authorities are required to take immediate stringent action against the miscreants by protecting life, liberty and dignity of the mediapersons to uphold the rule of law and constitutional safeguards extended to journalists. In a democratic country, such tragic incidents cannot be allowed to happen. Freedom of speech and expression is essential for political liberty and proper functioning of democracy, it said.
According to the media reports, the victims were returning home on their two wheeler after covering a rally on Ram Navami in Bhojpur district of Bihar when a speeding Scorpio vehicle hit them from behind resulting in their death on the spot. After committing the crime, the miscreants reportedly fled the spot and the vehicle was set afire by the villagers. An FIR has been registered by police against a former Mukhia, his son and others, who have been named as the main accused in the matter. According to the villagers, the accused were angry with the journalists over some reports.