Media Body demands immediate action against attacker on scribe

Bhubaneswar, June 11, 2010: Media Unity for Freedom of Press (MUFP) while condemning brutal attack on Pipli based Kanak TV journalist Mr Akhand has demanded immediate arrest of the attacker and to ensure safety to the life and property of Mr. Akhand and his family members.
 
As per informations , Mr. Akhand, a Tv Journalist has brutally attacked by a ruling party member in Puri District of Orissa. The Scribe, Mr. Akhand is a well - known journalist and a media activist, is working for state based 24 X 7 news channel- Kanak Tv. He have been attacked on 9th June evening when he was returning from his office. The incident took place at Kanthapur near Kamalasagar patna, under Pipili Police limit.
 
According to Mr. Akhand,  accused Pravakar Behera is a ward member and  belongs to ruling party BJD. Pravakar was annoyed over Mr. Akhand, because the journalist opposed the unlawful cutting  down of a tree by him from a Government land in that area, recently. And this news has been published in some section of media that lead to  investigation to this matter. Attacker have forcibly held the journalist by showing a sharpen weapon and beat him mercilessly. He warned  the journalist not to take the help of police, otherwise face dire  consequence. He also snatched away  his gold chain. The journalist is very much worried about security of himself and his family members.
 
Despite staff members of Kanak TV have demanded arrest of the accused person, so far the police  have not  arrested the accused. 
 
The MUFP in a statement while drawing attention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the home minister of the State about growing attack on media persons, have demanded severe action against the assaultors on media persons, however powerful they might be.
 
The MUFP has decided to hold a meeting shortly to review about the attacks on media during the past months and decide future course of action so that the State Government would be forced to rise to the occasion.