Attacks on Journalist : OHRC intervention urged

Peoples Watch-Odisha and Human Rights Defender Alert India-Odisha appealed before Odisha Human Rights Commission [OHRC] today on 7^th February 2011 to intervene the incident of brutal attack on a working journalist.

Mr Rajat Ranjan Das  the  reporter of Sambad, a leading Odia daily  was being severely attacked  on 4^th February 2010 at 7.30 morning in Pipili-Nimapara squre by the chairman of Pipili NAC Saikh Babu with his colleagues Md Mujibur Reheman, Yasbant Balabant Das, councilor Pravat Sethi, Muna and others.

Earlier Mr Das has strongly written about massive corruption happened in Pipili NAC  in several times in his news paper that  might  be the cause of attack which results severe injuries in the head, hand and other parts of his body. He was taken to local govt. hospital later forwarded to Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar seeing the gravity of injuries. The perpetrators also threatened to kill by putting guns in his chest, used filthy languages, snatched Rs 12,300 collected from hawkers, three mobile hand sets, a gold chain and a wrist watch then thrown him naked.

When Pratap Barik, reporter of Anupam Bharat, Niladree Bihari Mohapatra, hawker of Sambad tried to save Rajat they were also not escaped from the attack. Later the presidents of Shideswar Business Association Mr Dhirendra Samant Ray saved him and send to hospital.

Despite FIR is being logged against the perpetrators no action has been take by Pipili police yet , the family members of the victims are also being threatened.

In article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR], 1948 states, No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

In art 12 (2) the declaration on human rights defenders adopted by UN General Assembly in 1998 states that The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present declaration.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [ICCPR] 1966, article 19 in part III is also advocates freedom of opinion and expression.

Art 19(1) of the Indian constitution guarantees to every citizen the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression. 

In every case the law, rules or declaration is being violated by the perpetrator which now the concerned authorities or State is urged to act.

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