Journalists’ Death Toll Continues to Mount as Journalist in India is Shot dead and Another Grievously Injured

In the worst year ever for journalists’ safety one more journalist has lost his life and another was seriously injured in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, has today condemned the separate incidents and called for investigations.

“2004 has been a sad year for journalists, particularly for our colleagues in South Asia,” said IFJ President Christopher Warren today.

On 16 December 2004, Arun Misra a scribe with a Hindu daily newspaper in Gautam Graha village in Basti district of Uttar Pradesh was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while returning home. Police have yet to make an arrest or establish a motive in connection to the case.

In a separate incident on 18 December, an unidentified assailant shot at Manoj Singh, a journalist with a local Hindi daily in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, Singh, who was shot while riding on his motorcycle, sustained bullet injuries in his neck.

The IFJ is calling for the police to launch a full investigation into the attack and to ensure that the persons responsible are brought to justice.

“When one of our colleagues dies and another is seriously injured, democracy and justice demand an investigation,” said IFJ Christopher Warren.