Journalists’ body demands enactment Journalist Protection Act

Guwahati, April 26, 2019:

National Union of Journalists India (NUJI) and Journalists Association of Assam (JAA) vehemently condemned the brutal attack on Mukalmua Dainik Assom correspondent Rajen Deka and demanded exemplary punishment of the culprits involved in the crime.

National vice president NUJI Bhupen Goswami, president Dhirendra Nath Chakravarty, working president Anup Biswash and general secretary JAA Dalim Phukan, expressed serious concern over the rise of crime against the journalist in the state and demanded the government to introduce the Journalist Protection Act in the state.

It may be mentioned that JAA has been fighting with the government for introducing the Journalist Protection Act which will ensure the safety and security of the scribes.

In this regard, JAA has already submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Assam on January 31 last. The rising attack on scribes is a matter of serious concern where the government remained as a mute spectator added in a press release.

The JAA demanded the government to bear the medical treatment cost of Rajen Deka who is battling for life in the GMC Hospital, Guwahati. The Journalists Association of Assam (JAA) has presented a memorandum to Prime Minister of India with Chief Minister of Assam demanding a comprehensive Journalist Protection Act for journalists' protection.

There is need for a comprehensive Act with clear provisions of registering complaints in police stations on intimidation, attack or torture of journalists," JAA demanded immediate enactment of a Journalist Protection Act. They also demanded that investigation of the attacks on their fellow colleagues should be carried out by senior police officers equal to the SP or ACP rank and the culprits must sternly be punished. JAA and NUJI has requested all journalists and literary persons to support the respective demands.