World press body wants safety of Assam journalists

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed shock over the brutal murder of Anil Majumdar, editor of Assamese daily Aji, near his home in Assam's main city of Guwahati.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed shock over the brutal murder of Anil Majumdar, editor of Assamese daily Aji, near his home in Assam's main city of Guwahati.

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Majumdar was shot dead late Tuesday night by unidentified assailants outside his home.

"Once again, since the murder of Jagajit Saikia last November, we are reminded of the unsettled and hazardous conditions under which journalists work in the Indian state of Assam," IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said in a statement on Wednesday.

The IFJ said the local police are investigating the likely involvement of one of Assam's insurgent groups.

The IFJ has urged the authorities to "go the extra mile to ensure the safety of journalists in the state and to end the culture of impunity by investigating and prosecuting every case", EuAsiaNews reported.

The Brussels-based IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 122 countries.