BJP rallies behind journalists, asks Nitish to take cognizance of Nalanda incident

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday called on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take cognizance of the Nalanda incident where a journalist has been threatened of dire consequences if he does not apologise to JD (U) MLC Heera Prasad Bind and withdraws his critical report against him.

BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain hinted at a political nexus behind the murder of journalist Rajdeo Ranjan last week in Siwan district.

"Bihar is not afraid of criminals but the fact is that most of the people involved in the criminal activities in the state are politicians. Recently, a journalist in Siwan was killed. When will these people be controlled? These people (those in power) should not believe that they cannot be removed," Hussain told ANI.

"Democracy stands on law and order. It is not right that journalists, who are the fourth pillar of democracy, are being attacked. The Chief Minister should take cognizance of the Nalanda incident," he added.

Six days after Ranjan's murder, four supporters of the JD (U) MLC yesterday allegedly threatened to kill Rajesh Singh, a journalist with a vernacular daily.

Singh, who has lodged an FIR with the Laheri Police Station, said that he would identify them if they were produced before him.

In his complaint, he said four supporters of the JD (U) MLC entered his office at Biharsharif and threatened to kill him if he did not apologize to the lawmaker and contradict the report published about him.

42-year-old Ranjan was allegedly shot dead by criminals near the Siwan Railway Station earlier last Friday.

Two bullets were fired at the Siwan bureau chief of Hindi daily Hindustan that hit on his head and neck. He was shifted to a hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.