The ceaseless struggle of ‘Uttar Pradesh Working Journalists Union (UPWJU) affiliated to IFWJ in favour of Jagendra Singh, killed journalist of Shahjahanpur has brought relief to his family members. UPWJU led by its President-Haseeb Siddiqui, IFWJ Secretary-Hemant Tiwari, Secretary of U.P. Press Club-Jokhu Tiwari and the President of Lucknow Working Journalists Union- Siddharth Kalhans had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister immediately after the death of the journalist with three main demands.
Those were (A) adequate compensation for the family of the dead journalist, (B) government jobs to the sons of Jagendra Singh and (C) the CBI enquiry to identify the culprits. In response to that, the Chief Minister has agreed to immediately provide Rs. thirty lakhs (30,00,000/-) to the family of the victim, jobs to his two sons, pension to the widow of the Jagendra under Samajwadi Pension Scheme and the arm- license to the family for their self-defense.
It may be noted that the late Jagendra was badly burnt by the Police goons at the instance of the Minister Ram Murti Singh Verma. In a letter, addressed to Haseeb Siddiqui, the President of the UPWJU, Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister has informed that the Chief Minister has also assured to the family members of the victim that the government of Uttar Pradesh will conduct an impartial inquiry into the death of the late Jagendra Singh. The Chief Minister has promised that strict action will be taken against the persons found guilty in the inquiry.
UPWJU has always been in the forefront of waging struggle for the safety and security of the journalists. It has always fought for the freedom of speech and expression. The UPWJU has demanded that government must ensure that no journalist would be attacked or harmed by the police, goondas and mafia dons of various types. The union has warned that if the prompt actions for the safety of the journalists were not taken by the government, the UPWJU would be forced to launch statewide agitation.
Shyam Babu
IFWJ- Treasure
प्रेस रिलीज
