Bukhari's killing a grave attack on press freedom: Tarigami

Senior CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami today condemned the killing of veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari as a "grave attack on press freedom" and said killing journalists would not further the cause of any side but would perpetuate the crisis further.

The Kulgam MLA described Bukhari's killing as a huge loss to the journalist fraternity.

In his condolence message, Tarigami said Bukhari was a deep professional, a powerful voice and his death is a huge loss to democratic ethos.

This is a grave attack on press freedom, but also an assault on voices of sanity and reason and no words of condemnation are enough for such brutal killing. He was targeted for being a rare voice of moderation and reason.

Press freedom is distinctly diminishing and to have an opinion today - especially one that does not fit into the dominant political narrative - is to be in the line of danger. Killing journalists will not further the cause of any side but will perpetuate the crisis further, he said.

The CPI(M) leader expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family especially the parents, wife and children of the late journalist.