The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked and
horrified at the brutal murder of senior journalist Chandrika Rai, his wife and
two young children, in Umaria district in the central Indian state of Madhya
Pradesh.
Chandrika
Rai, 43, a freelance journalist who was published frequently in newspapers in
the state capital of Bhopal,
was found dead at his home on the evening of Saturday, February 18. His 39-year
old wife, 19-year old son and 17-year old daughter, were also found dead in
different rooms of the house. All four
bodies bore injuries inflicted by a sharp weapon.
Media
reports from India
suggest that Rai could have been targeted for revenge by elements involved in
local coal mining activities. Rai had recently written articles exposing
numerous illegalities in the coal trade in the region.
Other
reports hint at a connection with the recent abduction of the son of a
government official. Rai is believed to have expressed his scepticism over
police claims that the boy was rescued without any ransom changing hands. This
may have attracted the anger of an organised kidnapping racket in the area.
“The
IFJ is deeply shocked and saddened at the brutality of this murder, and the
loss of a brave journalist and his entire family”, said the IFJ Asia-Pacific.
“Violence
committed against journalists, whatever its motive, has a chilling effect on
good investigative journalism carried out in the public interest.
We
call upon the authorities in the state of Madhya Pradesh to utilise all
necessary resources and efforts to investigate this matter, and ensure that
those responsible for this murder are brought to justice for their crimes”.
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +612 9333 0950
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
Find the
IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific
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IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific