(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting an assault on two journalists in north-east India. According to RSF’s information, on 17 October 1998, Pradeep Behera, a senior journalist with the English-language daily “Arunachal Times”, was assaulted by six unidentified persons armed with lethal weapons who entered his home in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. He is in […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is protesting an assault on two journalists in north-east
India. According to RSF’s information, on 17 October 1998, Pradeep Behera, a
senior journalist with the English-language daily “Arunachal Times”, was
assaulted by six unidentified persons armed with lethal weapons who entered
his home in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. He is in hospital suffering from
chest, head and leg injuries. It seems that the attack followed the
publication of critical articles on social issues.
Meanwhile, in the state of Manipur, policemen stole 7,000 rupees (about 170
US dollars) from Zahid Khan, an associate editor of the monthly “Anouba
Yawol”. As the journalist was on his way to a place called Lilong, a police
sub-inspector and other guards stopped him, took his wallet and said: “You
are a bloody pressman, you don’t write anything good for the people.”
Background Information
At the beginning of October, the government of the state of Manipur ordered
the local media not to publish or broadcast statements by the separatist
guerillas. This decision has contributed to greater police violence against
independent journalists (see IFEX alert of 6 October 1998).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Prime Minister:
assaulted
in the north-east of India by the police and the army, or by people against
whom no legal action is underway
everything in their power to stop these arbitrary attacks and to ensure that
journalists can work freely and
safely
contradiction with international treaties signed and ratified by India
Appeals To
His Excellency Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee
Office of the Prime Minister
New Delhi, India
Fax: +91 11 301 6857
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
