Journalists launch indefinite stir to seek justice for Baijnath

| | Ranchi
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Journalists launch indefinite stir to seek justice for Baijnath

Wednesday, 15 September 2021 | VIJAY DEO JHA | Ranchi

Journalists of Jharkhand have resorted to relay agitation against the inaction and insensitivity of Ranchi police in the journalist assault case where a Ranchi based journalist Baijnath Mahto is battling for his life at RIMS after he was grievously hurt by criminals.

On Monday a delegation of journalists had gone to meet DGP Niraj Kumar Sinha and other top officials of the state Government where they expressed their dissatisfaction over the role of Ranchi police and Ranchi SSP Surendra Kumar Jha for not showing seriousness towards the enormity of the case.

On Tuesday journalists started a sit-in-demonstration at the Ranchi Press club Building.

“This will continue till the time all accused are arrested and actions are taken against the police officials who had ignored his complaint. Our colleague Baijnath had informed the Sadar police station that he feared a threat on his life. But instead of registering an FIR the police registered a sanha,” said a journalist.

What has upset and angered journalists is the way Ranchi SSP allegedly tried to play down the enormity of the crime and divert the case to another direction.

The incident took place on the night of September 11. The next morning, he was found lying in the pool of blood on the roadside from where he was picked by the PCR and sent to RIMS. Here his treatment could be started eight hours after he was taken here only after some journalists told RIMS administration that he is their colleague.

“Baijnath is a simple and honest man from a poor background. He was assaulted in such a way that his life is under threat. What has pained us and we feel insulted that almost all journalists of Ranchi called Ranchi SSP to know about the progress made in the investigation. But Ranchi SSP Jha even did not bother to pick our call,” said another journalist.

Right from the Jharkhand Governor to the political class and civil society of Jharkhand condemned the attack.

Congress MLA and AICC secretary Dipika Pandey Singh was also very critical about the role of police. She advised Ranchi police to focus on law and order.

“The good heart journalist Baijnath Mahto is battling for his life at RIMS. I am shocked. Somebody please tell Ranchi police that instead of doing Ganesh Parikrama they should do patrolling of the town and protect law abiding citizens. I am with my journalist brothers and sister,” Pandey Tweeted.

Amid the criticism Ranchi SSP formed a SIT to investigate the case and also announced a cash reward of Rs 25000 for anyone to give worthwhile information about assailants. The police have also released the picture of a suspect identified as Akash, alias, Benga.

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