Editors Guild condemns journalist killing in Chhattisgarh

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) Editors Guild of India todaycondemned the killing of a journalist in Chhattisgarh andasked the state government to ensure that the culprits arebrought to justice.

In a statement, the Guild urged the local police and stateadministration to ensure that investigations into the murderof Umesh Rajput of Dainik Bhaskar in the state are conductedspeedily.

"It is the duty of the state administration and the policeto ensure that his killers are quickly brought to justice,"the statement said.

"The Editors Guild notes that wrongdoing in differentparts of the country can be exposed by journalists only ifthey are ensured personal safety. It is a matter of deepestregret that Rajput had to pay with his life for carrying outhis professional duty," it said.

Rajput was killed in Chhura town near Raipur on January23. He was at home with another journalist when two young menon a motorcycle called him out and opened fire at him.

The killers had left a note which made it clear thatRajput was murdered on account of his reporting for hisnewspaper.

The journalist had also complained to police aboutthreatening calls from a local doctor whom he had accused ofprofessional negligence leading to the death of a patient, thestatement said.