GUWAHATI, Nov 12 - Several media organisations and journalists today condoled the death of Tinsukia�s Kakopathar-based senior journalist Parag Bhuyan and demanded a high level probe into the incident.
In a tragic incident, the senior journalist, who was also the vice president of Tinsukia Press Club, died today morning after being hit by a vehicle on Wednesday night near his home at Kakopathar.
Condoling the incident, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal expressed his grief over the untimely demise of the journalist.
�Late Parag Bhuyan has made significant contribution in the field of journalism and his death is an irreparable loss to the society. I convey deep sympathy to the bereaved family and pray for eternal peace of the departed soul,� Sonowal said.
Meanwhile, the Gauhati Press Club, while condoling Bhuyan�s death, urged the DGP, Assam to form a SIT to investigate the case in a time-bound manner.
�The manner in which the senior journalist lost his life, GPC demands a high level inquiry into the case. As the circumstances hint towards foul play, a high level probe should be conducted,� GPC president Manoj Kr Nath and general secretary Sanjoy Ray said.
Television channel Pratidin Time, while condoling the death of its Kakopathar correspondent, alleged that the initial lacklustre approach of the police gave everyone a reason to be suspicious about the entire incident.
�He has been doing a series of reporting exposing illegal activities and corruption around Kakopathar. He also received personal threats for his investigative reporting on such issues,� the media group said in a statement.
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in its condolence message said the mysterious circumstances leading to the death of the senior journalist must be thoroughly probed.
The district unit of the APCC along with members of its youth and women wings will gherao the DGP office tomorrow. Several senior state Congress leaders including Pavan Singh Ghatowar, MLA Durga Bhumij, former minister Pranati Phukan among others will visit the deceased journalist�s house to extend their sympathies to the bereaved family members.
Amid condolences pouring in at the death of senior journalist Parag Bhuyan, the newly floated Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) alleged that it was a pre-planned murder and there might be a political motive behind it.
In a statement issued to the media, AJP convenors Dr KG Bhattacharyya and Basanta Deka said that Parag Bhuyan was a pro-people journalist, who was popular for unearthing several scams indulged in by vested interest groups in Tinsukia-Kakopathar area.
�Besides, Bhuyan was the brother of AJP State coordinator and former minister Jagadish Bhuyan, who is actively involved in forming a strong organisational structure of AJP across Assam. After its formation, the new regional force AJP has stirred the political equations in Assam and there is enough scope to believe that Parag Bhuyan might be the victim of a political controversy to destabilise the forward march of the regional forces in the State,� the AJP alleged, demanding a thorough and high level probe into the incident.
The regional party also rapped the ruling BJP for its total failure to ensure journalists� security in Assam.
The Journalists� Association of Assam (JAA) and the National Union of Journalists, India (NUJI) expressed their concern over the growing incidents of killing of journalists.
JAA president DN Chakravartty and other office-bearers of both the associations demanded a judicial probe into the incident and a compensation of Rs 30 lakh to the bereaved family of the journalist.
Chief Minister's Media Advisor Hrishikesh Goswami also mourned the death of journalist Bhuyan and offered his sympathy to the bereaved family.
