Jusice C.K. Prasad, Hon’ble Chairman, Press Council of India, New Delhi
Respected Chairman,
Sub: Attack on 25 Journalists in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh
This is to bring to your kind attention about the brutal attack on 25 Journalists who were rounded up and beaten in broad daylight by nearly 300 goons of sand mafia at Kanker in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh on September 27, 2020. This is an unprecedented barbaric attack against media persons in the recent past in our country.
An Editor and senior Journalist Kamal Shukla sustained serious injuries on his head. The goons threatened the Journalist in the presence of 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 and most shocking. This is surely an attack on the freedom of the press. The police who were present during the attack have sided with the goons. This is most condemnable and invites stern action against them.
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 the State and the functioning of the media in a peaceful and democratic atmosphere.
Therefore, the IJU requests you to inquire into the matter and take stern action against those who attacked the media persons brutally at Kanker in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
With kind regards,
G. Prabhakaran, Secretary General, New Delhi, September 28, 2020.