Journalist bodies demand action in killing of journalist by Naxals in Dantewada

Journalist bodies Wednesday urged the government to probe the killing of a scribe in a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district and take adequate measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

One mediaperson and two policemen were killed in the attack which took place in Dantewada's Aranpur area Tuesday. Two other security personnel were also injured in the attack.

The mediaperson who died was Achyutananda Sahu, a cameraman with state-run broadcaster Doordarshan.

Condemning the attack, the Indian Women's Press Corps and the Press Association in a joint statement said it was deplorable that journalists and innocent persons continued to be collateral victims in conflict areas and situations.

"Not long back, the media fraternity lost another of its colleagues, Shujaat Bukhari, who was shot dead in Srinagar. We demand that the Union and the state government concerned investigate the killing and take adequate measures to prevent such incidents that have devastating consequences," the statement said.

"We hope that the Union and state government will provide financial compensation and employment to the bereaved family of Sahu that has suffered not only a great emotional loss but also lost an earning member of the family," it added.