ITANAGAR, Jul 7:Reacting to the latest incident of attack on a member of the press fraternity of the state, the news media organisations have expressed their collective anger over such frequent incidents.

On the intervening night of July 6-7, Ranjit Sinha, associate editor of a local daily, was returning home after completing his work for the day. En route, he was assaulted by a group of unknown miscreants near the BJP capital unit office opposite the Civil Secretariat. Aside from being mugged, the senior editor was also severely assaulted and had to be rushed to the hospital. He is currently recovering.

While the Arunachal Press Club, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists, and Arunachal Electronic Media Association understands that Sinha may not have been targeted because he is a media person, the three organisations are concerned that media persons are especially vulnerable to such attacks.

“The nature of the job is such that most print media journalists and employees often work late into the night to keep citizens updated with the happenings of the state and return home well after 11 PM. Such work timings leave press persons at a disadvantage,” a joint statement from the organisations said.

The press bodies’ concerns were amplified by the fact that the incident took place just next to the Civil Secretariat where security personnel are posted 24/7. While they expressed their gratitude to the security personnel who helped Sinha after the assault, they expressed concerns over the law and order scenario in the state capital.

“Although the administration has stepped up efforts to keep a check on crimes, incidents of bag-snatching have risen over the last few weeks. Perhaps it would bode well for citizens if the police conducted regular patrolling apart from inspection at designated zones,” the APC, APUWJ and AEMA said.

Demanding an early arrest of the accused, the organisations have sought improved policing in and around the state capital.

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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