IJU condemns murder of Andhra Pradesh journalist, seeks probe

Amaravathi/Chandigarh, Apr 28 (TNT) : The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) on Tuesday strongly condemned the murder of journalist Jagan Mohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh and demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.

In a statement, IJU President Balwinder Singh Jammu and Secretary General D Soma Sundar said the victim, a senior reporter with Andhra Jyothi, was attacked with knives during his morning walk at Venkatagiri Kota in Chittoor district on April 28.

They said the journalist succumbed to his injuries on the spot.

The IJU noted that the victim had recently reported on alleged sandalwood smuggling activities in the district and expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the killing.

The organisation demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators as well as those behind the crime and called for a comprehensive probe.

It also urged the Andhra Pradesh government to enact a dedicated law to ensure the safety of journalists and safeguard press freedom.

TNT KM