Media Release: India
9
September 2013
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked
and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Rajesh Verma, a news cameraman for
a national broadcaster and Israr, a freelance photographer, in mob violence in
the district town of Muzaffarnagar in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
According to information received by the IFJ
affiliate, the National Union of Journalists of India (NUJ-I), Rajesh Verma a news cameraman for the IBN 7 channel which
broadcasts in English, Hindi, Marathi and other languages all across India, and
a freelance photographer identified only by the single name Israr, were
attacked by a mob dispersing after a meeting in Muzaffarnagar town on 7
September.
Both had been assigned to cover the meeting and seem
to have been attacked with deliberate intent. Rajesh Verma was shot through the
chest and Israr died of serious injuries inflicted by blunt objects.
An estimated twenty-seven people have been killed in
communal rioting that broke out in Muzaffarnagar district on Saturday, 7
September. Reports indicate that despite a heavy deployment of security forces,
the situation continues to be volatile and tense.
“We call on the local authorities to ensure that those
responsible for the violence against the journalists are identified and brought
to justice”, said the IFJ Asia Pacific.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and
friends of our slain colleagues and call on media organisations to always be
mindful of the inherent hazards of physical harm involved in covering
situations of mob violence and rioting”.
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
Find
the IFJ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/IFJAsiaPacific