The International Federation of
Journalists (IFJ) is shocked to learn of the murder of Anil Mozumdar, Executive
Editor of the Assamese language daily Aaji, near his home in Guwahati,
capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Assam.
According to reports from the
Journalists’ Union of Assam (JUA), a constituent organisation of IFJ affiliate
the Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU), Mozumdar was shot dead late yesterday
night by unidentified assailants who were lying in wait for him outside his
home.
The local police, according to IFJ
sources, are investigating the likely involvement of one of Assam’s insurgent organisations.
Mozumdar bought Aaji from the
Ramdhenu Prakashan group of publications some three years ago and has
functioned as its Executive Editor ever since. He was earlier the publisher and
editor of the Natun Din daily and Saptahik Janamat weekly. He began
his career as a local correspondent for Ajir Batori, an Assamese daily
in the district town of Nalbari.
According to IFJ sources, Mozumdar
was involved in several controversies since he took over the Aaji daily
and has often said that he feared for his life.
The IFJ conveys its condolences to
Mozumdar’s wife and two young daughters.
“Once again, since the murder of
Jagajit Saikia last November, we are reminded of the unsettled and positively
hazardous conditions under which journalists work in the Indian state of Assam,”
IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
“The IFJ urges local authorities in Assam to
go the extra mile to ensure the safety of journalists in the state and to end
the culture of impunity by investigating and prosecuting every case.”
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents over 600,000 journalists in 122 countries