The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked to learn of the third murder in eight days of a journalist in India.
Vikas Ranjan, 32, a reporter with the Hindi daily Hindustan, in Samastipur district of India’s eastern Bihar state, was killed on November 25.
The IFJ joins its Indian affiliates in condemning the brutal murder of Ranjan, who has a long history of investigative work on the state’s criminal networks.
According to reports, Ranjan had spent the day on assignment and returned to his office in the afternoon. He was shot in the evening as he stepped out of his office and walked toward his parked motorcycle. His assailants, who had reportedly been waiting at the site for some time, fired several rounds at him. They left after firing repeatedly in the air to frighten off witnesses.
Ranjan was taken to the nearest hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The IFJ learns that Ranjan had faced frequent threats for his professional work and had brought these to the notice of the police force.
“Coming so soon after the killings of journalists in Manipur and Assam, the murder of Vikas Ranjan represents a new low for the media community in India,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
On November 17, Konsam Rishikanta was murdered in the north-eastern state of Manipur. On November 22, Jagajit Saikia was murdered in Assam, also in the north-east.
The IFJ is dismayed to learn that despite the personal initiative of the Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, there has been no progress in investigations into Ranjan’s murder.
Meanwhile, the journalists’ community in Manipur observed a day of protest yesterday to press for more serious action from state authorities in apprehending the murderers of Rishikanta.
“The IFJ extends its solidarity to the media community in India in this moment of trial,” IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 122 countries