IT News
New Delhi, Aug. 10:
The Indian Journalists Union joins its affiliate the Andhra Pradesh Media Federation in condemning the brutal killing of journalist Chennakeshavalu, of local television news channel EV5, in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, allegedly by a suspended police constable and his brother on Sunday night. The unions demand that the killer be brought to justice at the earliest.
According to APMF, Chennakeshavalu’s was stabbed on Sunday night allegedly by Venkata Subbaiah, suspended police constable and his brother, Nani, after he was asked to meet them over his story on Subbaiah’s involvement in the alleged illegal sale of Gutkha and Matka gambling. Chennakeshavalu succumbed to his injuries later in the night at a hospital. The constable has been dismissed from service, charged, along with Nani under section 302 of IPC.
In a statement, IJU President and Former Member of Press Council of India Geetartha Pathak and IJU Secretary General and International Federation of Journalists Vice President Sabina Inderjit said the union was shocked by the brutal killing of Chennakeshavalu, who was only doing his job of following up a story regarding alleged corruption charges against the constable. The Union condoles his death and demands immediate arrest of the killers as well as compensation to his family by the government.
At the same time, the Union has expressed serious concern at the deteriorating safety and security of journalists in Andhra Pradesh and asked the State government to ensure journalists are allowed to carry out their duties without fear or favour.
