India: journalist’s body found in river
Abdul Rauf Alamgir’s death marks the second killing of journalists in India this year.
The National Union of Journalists joins the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in calling for an urgent investigation into the killing of Abdur Rauf Alamgir.
On 24 June, reports of Alamgir’s abduction circulated and two days later his body was found floating in a river in the Indian state of Assam. Sister union Indian Journalists Union has condemned “the brutal murder” and called for the arrests of those responsible for his death.
Local police have not determined Alamgir’s cause of death despite injury marks apparent on his body. Motives for his death are unclear, and could include his reporting or position running the customer service operations of a local Punjab National Bank branch.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary, said:
“This killing represents the increasingly unsafe environment faced by journalists in India, and the need for greater protections for journalists across the country. The IFJ strongly condemns the disappearance and death of journalist Abdur Rauf Alamgir and urges the Indian authorities to conduct a swift, transparent, and thorough investigation into the incident, ensuring that those responsible do not escape with impunity.”
Alamgir, who worked for online news portal TNL is not the only media worker killed in India this year. In February, journalist Shashikant Warishe was murdered in a hir and run accident involving a Land Rover vehicle, hours after publication of a report revealing the broker’s links to alleged criminal activity and senior political figures.
Authorities in India must take swift action to protect the safety of journalists and demonstrate that reporting by journalists can occur without fear of persecution.