By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : In a horrific incident, journalist Chakrapani Parashar has been stabbed on Thursday around 10 pm in one of Guwahati’s busy areas, namely Ganeshguri. According to reports, Parashar, who works for a regional news channel, has been stabbed by a restaurant owner and now is admitted at the GNRC Hospital, Guwahati.Allegedly, the journalist had a quarrel with the owner of Albar Eats in the morning after which the owner of the restaurant had been looking for Parashar to stab him with a dagger. On finding him at night, the owner stabbed him twice. Four people including the owner has been detained by the Dispur Police. Those detained are – Bhabesh Das, Nitin Sarma, Niraj Ahmed and Sayed Ali Ahmed.: National Union of Journalists India,( NUJI ) and Journalists Association of Assam (JAA) vehemently condemned the brutal attack on Guwahati city based Journalist Chakrapani Parasar and demanded exemplary punishment of the culprits involved in the crime. In a press release Bhupen Goswami, National vice president NUJI, Dhirendra Nath Chakravarty, President JAA and Dalim Phukan, General Secretary JAA , expressed serious concern over the rise of crime against journalist in the state and demanded the government to introduce the Journalist Protection Act in the state.

It may be mentioned here that JAA has been fighting with the government for introducing the Journalist Protection Act which will ensure the safety and security of the scribes. In this regard, JAA has already submitted memorandum to the Governor of Assam on January 31 last. The rising attack on scribes is a matter of serious concern where the government remained as a mute spectator added the press release. The journalist organisation demanded the government to bear the medical treatment cost of Chakrapani Parashar who is battling for life in the hospital.The journalists Association of Assam JAA,has presented a memorandum to Prime Minister of India with Chief Minister of Assam demanding a comprehensive Journalist Protection Act for journalists’ protection. There is need for a comprehensive Act with clear provisions of registering complaints in police stations on intimidation, attack or torture of journalists,” JAA demanded immediate enactment of a Journalist Protection Act.They also demanded that investigation of the attacks on their fellow colleagues should be carried out by senior police officers equal to the SP or ACP rank and the culprits must sternly be punished. JAA and NUJI has requested all journalists and literary persons to support the respective demands.