Journalists' body in Assam demands security for media persons

Guwahati, Aug 7: The Journalists’ Forum Assam today demanded adequate security for journalists and called for a national action plan in this regard.

The forum urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take appropriate action in the abduction of north Bengal-based journalist Chayan Sarkar who went missing after reporting on a college admission racket in the state.

In a statement, it said that Chayan Sarkar, who works for north Bengal’s major Bengali daily "Uttarbanga Sangbad" from Alipurduar, remained traceless since August 2.

"If journalists can be abducted, even killed for reporting on corruption or other major issues in India, we have to ensure their security," the statement, issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria, said.

"In many cases the victims are being deprived of justice. So it will only paint a bleak picture of the state of critical journalism in the country, where most of them would prefer only soft issues for reporting to avoid unwanted consequences," they said.

PTI