ITANAGAR, Jun 15: The media bodies of Arunachal Pradesh have expressed shock at and condemned the murder of Rising Kashmir editor-in-chief Shujaat Bukhari by unknown assailants in Srinagar on Thursday.
The Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists, the Arunachal Press Club and the Arunachal Electronic Media Association in a joint press statement on Friday expressed strong condemnation of the dastardly killing.
Terming the murder a cowardly attempt to silence the fourth estate, the media bodies said, “Such condemnable act of killing a journalist is equivalent to slaughtering the voice of millions, as media represents the people’s voice.
“We demand immediate arrest of the culprits, and express deep condolences to the family members of Mr Bukhari. We also pray that peace returns in the Kashmir valley,” they said.
Police in Srinagar on Friday released the photograph of the fourth suspect in the murder of Bukhari.
“Srinagar Police seeks help of the general public to identify one more suspect involved in the terror attack at Press Enclave, Srinagar,” the police posted on its official Twitter handle and Facebook page.
The senior journalist was shot dead in Press Colony, near Lal Chowk, in Srinagar by unidentified assailants on Thursday. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
JFA expresses shock
The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has also expressed shock at Bukhari’s murder and demanded early arrest of the culprits.
“As everyone in the Muslim world was waiting for Eid after the end of the holy Ramzan month, Shujaat’s killing is so painful. We urge the authority to leave no stone unturned to punish the perpetrators,” said a statement issued by JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria.
The JFA said the media fraternity across the country must stand united and raise their voice for justice to the braveheart.
