The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has strongly condemned the brutal killing of web journalist Naresh Kumar, who was hacked to death by unidentified assailants in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Saturday, July 12, 2025. The incident, which occurred near Muruliguda under the jurisdiction of Motu police station, was described by the IJU as a direct assault on press freedom and the safety of media professionals in the country.
According to reports, Naresh Kumar was engaged in conversation with fellow journalists when five masked individuals riding two motorcycles approached and attacked him with a sword at around 6 PM. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the assault, leaving Kumar fatally injured. The attack has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating safety environment for journalists, especially in regions plagued by lawlessness and violence.
Expressing deep anguish over the incident, IJU President and former member of the Press Council of India, Geetartha Pathak, reportedly stated that the murder of Naresh Kumar served as a chilling reminder of the threats journalists face in the line of duty. He described the act not just as a personal attack but as an assault on the core principles of democracy. He was also learnt to have demanded a high-level judicial inquiry under the supervision of a sitting judge to ensure swift and transparent justice and to uncover any hidden motives behind the crime.
IJU Secretary General Sabina Inderjit also reportedly expressed grave concern over the incident, noting that the broad daylight killing of the journalist reflected the worsening safety conditions for media personnel, both in Odisha and across the country. She urged the Odisha government to initiate an immediate and impartial investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. She also called for the enactment of a comprehensive protection law for journalists and the implementation of concrete measures to safeguard press freedom.
The IJU is said to have expressed solidarity with Naresh Kumar’s family, friends, and colleagues and urged the state government to provide adequate compensation to the bereaved family. It also reiterated its longstanding demand for a nationwide policy to ensure the safety and security of journalists, emphasizing their critical role in upholding democracy and holding those in power accountable.