Shri Bhupesh Baghel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Raipur
Dear Shri Bhupesh Baghel Ji,
The Indian Journalists Union (IJU), the premier organisation of media persons in the country, was shocked and dismayed at the report of about 25 journalists got rounded up and attacked in broad daylight by nearly 300 goons of sand mafia at Kanker in Bastar district of your State on September 27, 2020.
An Editor and senior Journalist Kamal Shukla sustained serious injuries on his head. The goons threatened the Journalist in the presence of the Police officials. Kamal Shukla said that “one of the assailants was carrying a gun and he threatened me of dire consequences. I was assaulted because of my writings against illegal sand mining.”
A gang led by one Gaffar Memon of Kanker let loose the attack against Journalists, according to the information reaching us. This pre-planned and brutal attack against such large number of Journalists is unprecedented and unheard of in the country in the recent past. This is surely an attack on the freedom of the press. The police who were present during the attack found to have sided with the goons. This is most condemnable.
The IJU requests you to take stern action against the sand mafia and their goons who brutally attacked a large number of media persons. Action should also be taken against the police officials who failed to stop the goons in attacking the media persons.
A Senior Journalist Habib Khan (UNI), general secretary of the Chhattisgarh Journalists Union, informed us that such attacks by the mafia gangs took place earlier also in many parts of Bastar and the State.
This is a blot on the law and order situation in your State and the functioning of the media in a peaceful and democratic atmosphere. The IJU sincerely hopes that you will take all steps to protect the freedom of press and allow the media and the Journalists to function in a fearless atmosphere.
With kind regards,
B.R. Prajapati, President & G. Prabhakaran, Secretary General, New Delhi, September 28, 2020.