Ram P. Yadav (Secretary-IFWJ) : Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) has strongly condemned the murder of Jagendra Singh, a brave and fearless journalist and social activist of Shahjahapur. In a statement, the IFWJ’s Secretary General Parmanand Pandey has demanded that the Akhilesh government of Uttar Pradesh must immediately sack the State Minister Ram Murti Singh Verma at whose instance the Police Inspector Prakash Rai burnt Jagendra Singh after sprinkling petrol on his body.
Shri Pandey has also demanded arrest of Minister and the guilty Police Inspector before they could screen the evidences of the murder of the journalist. The family of Jagendra Singh must be given the monetary assistance of not less than Rs. 25 lakh because he was the sole bread earner for his family. The newspapers for which he worked must also come forward to help family monetarily and raise their voice against the lawlessness that has gripped the State of Uttar Pradesh particularly after the Akhilesh government came to power.
Jagendra Singh’s writings on his face book walls were liked, shared and commented upon by hundreds of persons, which became the eye sore for the politicians and administrative machinery of the state.
He was being threatened by the corrupt and goonda elements and he had brought it the notice of the authorities many times but no protection was provided to him. He was admitted with more than 70% burn injuries in the Civil Hospital of Lucknow, which is hardly a kilometer away from the seat of the power of Uttar Pradesh, where he breathed last but no body from the administration visited him in the hospital or to his family to condole his death.
The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh has reached its nadir where goondas, corrupt politicians, reckless police and administration are having the field day. Even after this hear-rending incident of the burning of the fearless journalist, the government of Uttar Pradesh is keeping silent giving rise to the fact that the administration in state has totally failed.
The IFWJ has asked all media organizations to sink their differences and show the strength of their unity for the protection of journalist’s and safeguarding the freedom of speech and expression of the people.
