The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) expressed its grave horror over the missing of Chayan Sarkar, Alipurduar district correspondent of the Uttar Banga Samvad in West Bengal, who exposed a scam in the college admissions, allegedly involving some local leaders of ruling Trinamool Congress, since August 2.
On July 28, Uttara Banga Samvad published an investigative report by Sarkar that admissions to graduation courses in colleges in Alipurduar, were being sold by taking money from candidates.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, Indian Journalists Union (IJU) President S N Sinha, Vice-President Ambati Anjaneyulu and Secretary-General Amar Devulapalli expressed the apprehension that Chayan Sarkar might have been abducted and his life might be in danger. “It is strange that no clue is available on the missing of the journalist even after four days raises questions over the investigation process, notwithstanding the assertions of state government spokespersons including the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that the police are conducting a special drive to trace him.
“It may be noted that some local leaders of the ruling party threatened the journalist after his expose of the scam of selling of seats in a local college to undeserving students for a hefty price was published on July 28. There was a demonstration in front of his residence a day before his missing. This clearly indicates the involvement of powerful leaders of the ruling party.”
They warned that the state government would be held squarely responsible if anything untoward happened to the journalist and demanded that a manhunt should be mounted to immediately trace the missing journalist. The IJU leaders urged upon the Press Council of India (PCI) to immediately intervene and direct the West Bengal government to take immediate steps to trace the missing journalist. (NSS)