Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) has strongly condemned the brutal murder of independent journalist Mukesh Chandrakar, whose body was discovered in a septic tank after he exposed corruption in a road construction project in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.
Chandrakar, a contributor to NDTV, had recently brought to light a scam involving irregularities in a local road construction project led by a contractor. His exposé triggered public outrage, drawing significant attention to corruption in public infrastructure development.
Days after the report was published, Chandrakar went missing. According to officials, his body was later found on the premises of the contractor implicated in the scam.
In a statement, the APUWJ condemned the incident as “a despicable act that underscores the growing threats faced by journalists in their pursuit of truth.” The union highlighted that such attacks are not isolated events but part of an alarming trend of targeting journalists across the country.
“This heinous act is a chilling reminder of the perils faced by reporters working to uphold democracy and transparency,” the APUWJ said. The union stressed the need for the government to recognize the severity of the situation and implement urgent measures to protect journalists, particularly those reporting on corruption and crime.
APUWJ President Amar Sangno remarked, “Press freedom is the cornerstone of any democracy, and its defenders should not have to fear for their lives.”
The union also demanded that both state and central governments conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into Chandrakar’s death. The incident, they said, serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by journalists who strive to expose wrongdoing and hold those in power accountable.
The call for justice echoes across the journalistic community, which has increasingly voiced concerns about the growing threats to press freedom and the safety of reporters working on sensitive issues. Chandrakar’s death adds to the growing list of journalists attacked or killed in the line of duty, underscoring the urgent need for stronger protections and accountability.
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