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