Students’ union protests journo Bukhari’s killing

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 21

Activists of the Punjab Students’ Union along with Pendu Mazdoor Union and Kirti Kisan Union carried out a protest march here on Thursday against the killing of journalist Shujaat Bukhari in Jammu and Kashmir.

The activists staged a rally at the Committee Park in Jagraon and took out a march in the city. The leaders of the Inqulabi Kendra Punjab also took part in the protest march.

Karamjit Kotkapoora, general secretary of the Punjab Students’ Union, said Shujaat Bukhari had been highlighting violation of human rights in Kashmir and atrocities of the Indian Army and the police and his killing had raised several questions.

Tirlochan Jhodran, district president of the Bharti Kisan Union, said Bukhari was killed in the Press Colony of Srinagar, which was located a few metres away from the Lal Chowk area. A huge police force and a large number of armed CRPF men remained deployed there permanently.

The union activists also raised issues of threats to NDTV reporter-cum-anchor Raveesh Kumar, and murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh.

“Some people have been trying to end the freedom of press and media, which is clear from the killings of the journalists and threats issued to some mediapersons during the past some time,” said Karamjit.

Hardeep Singh Galib of the Bharti Kisan Union said Shujaat Bukhari’s murder was a part of the conspiracy and the government should expose the forces behind his killing to bring out the truth.