Press Club of India condemns murder of Bijapur Journalist Mukesh

New Delhi | Desk: The Press Club of India condemns about the murder of young freelance journalist Mukesh Chandrakar hailing from the Maoist-affected Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.

Criticizing the killing the club requests the Press Council of India to take cognizance of the matter and demand that the state government to take action against the perpetrators.

In this hour of grief and loss, the Press Club of India extends its sincere condolence to the family members as well as friends, said Gautam Lahiri President, Press Club of India and Neeraj Thakur Secretary General, Press Club of India.

Chandrakar ran a popular YouTube channel called Bastar Junction, apart from writing and reporting for different media houses on the issues of corruption, tribal rights and insurgent violence in conflict-hit Bastar.

As per the local police, the body of the 31-year-old journalist, who had been reported missing since January 1, was found in a septic tank on a contractor’s property in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur on Friday.

The attacks on and killings of journalists reporting from Bastar division of Chhattisgarh are not new but the impunity with which such incidents are being carried out is unacceptable and must be addressed effectively.

The state government should immediately look into the long-standing demand of local journalists to enact a law to protect journalists.

The Press Club of India is planning to hold a condolence cum protest meeting on the premises of the Club early next week. Journalists, especially those who have been covering the region are requested to join, release said.