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EMFA, JFA condemn attacks on Bengal journalists

By AT News |

Electronic Media Forum Assam (EMFA) and Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) express serious concern that the media persons, more precisely the television journalists, are becoming more vulnerable for attacks in the duty hours. The recent attack on a group of television journalists in West Bengal have emerged as a grim reminder that the goons in the society are now bent upon crushing the vibrant media across eastern India.

In a joint statement issued today, both EMFA and JFA have however appreciated the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her quick response to the issue that resulted in the arrest of more than ten persons including the suspected mastermind Shibu Yadav. Mr Yadav, who is a leader of Ms Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) is accused of attacking three television journalists in Barrackpore Sadar Bazar of North 24 Parganaas district recently, when the media persons went to cover a murder following a clash between two rival factions of the ruling TMC.

The victims including Astik Chattopadhayay of ABP Ananda, Barun Sengupta of 24 Ghanta and Tona Singha Roy of Kolkata TV officially accused Mr Yadav of masterminding the attack on them.

Various journalist organizations of the State have already condemned the incident and a rally was also organized by the Press Club Kolkata. The EMFA and JFA, while extending moral supports to the agitating journalist organizations of West Bengal, insisted for a special protection law at the earliest to deal with the attacks on journalists on duty.

The statement is signed by EMFA working president Paragmoni Aditya, secretary Bimal Ghosh, treasurer Bhaskarjyoti Bhuyan and JFA present Rupam Baruah & secretary Nava Thakuria.

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