Brutal killing of Senior Journalist Guari Lankesh is indeed shocking news for all of us across the country, particularly those in the media fraternity. The 55 years old editor of a Bangalura base newspaper, is widely known for her leaning towards Maoist movement and unlike those supporting the taking of arms she was working with all her energy to start the move in a more democratic way without arms. This is being said as per version of her brother reported at some newspapers.
In conflict ridden region those in the profession of journalism are most venerable target of both sides. But theorist said that those in the profession are the bridge between two conflicting parties. Almost all students of journalism believe in the later part, but reality is different when it comes to the country call India.
In the state of Manipur, a state, annexed forcibly into the Indian Union, over dozens of journalist are killed in the conflict between the state and non-state actors. The state which is a part of India is ruled by imposing extraordinary legislations which give impunity to arm forces community. Draconian act AFSPA has been here for over 36 years to suppress armed separatist movement. The death of dozens of journalist during this period in additions to thousands other civilian victims showed that Manipur is not a safe place. The so call government had failed to provide proper security for the life of the people.
Metropolitan city like Bangularu has been considered as safe place by many Manipuri. So thousands migrated either to study or to make a living. Until the news about killing of Gouri Lankesh is heard the metropolitan city was assumed safe. She was murdered by armed gunmen near her house. The incident shows that Indian police still enable gunmen goons to travel at every street. There is no AFSPA like act at the place where gunmen goons rolls out at their wishes to commit any crime whether it may be killing of journalist or any other common people.
News report with conspiracy theory on why and by whom she could have been murdered proves that her linage with Maoist is the cause of her death. When she herself is a leftist, the theory about Maoist supporters as the murderer have no logical meaning.
The killing of Gouri Lankesh is a clear warning of almost all left minded journalist across the country, particularly those working in the state like Manipur.
The center is now rule by right wing political party back by right wing organizations and its supporter. Similarly, the state of Manipur is also rule by a similar political party. Since the congress government has been replaced by the BJP led government, people of the state has been witnessing change of top office bearers with top bureaucrats who had affiliation with any of the right wing organisation. And one cannot simply rule out that those in the newspaper who are leftist might be wipe out from their profession using any means to make everyone Rightist.
