IWPC demands action in incidents of attacks on journalists

The Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) today expressed shock at the killing of Shahjanpur- based journalist Jagendra Singh and assault on a Kanpur scribe and demanded immediate arrest and an impartial inquiry into the incidents by the state government.
"We demand that accused in the violent attack on both journalists be immediately apprehended and the state government conduct an impartial inquiry in the matter," IWPC said in its statement.
Jagendra Singh, from Uttar Pradesh, died on Monday after a police raid on his home on June 1, following Facebook posts in which he accused local minister Ram Murti Verma of corruption.

Deepak Mishra, another journalist associated with a local newspaper was shot at in Naubasta area allegedly by four bike-borne assailants on Wednesday.
The IWPC also demanded the state police to give protection to the family of the victims.
"If there is any threat perception to the families of the victims, given the nature of those allegedly involved, the state police should provide them with adequate security and protection," the IWPC said.
The IWPC expressed concern that journalists often are victims of violent attacks due to the nature of their work that involves risks and taking on people in positions of authority.