Patna: Members of the Web Journalists Association of India (WJAI), Bihar, led by State General Secretary Sagar Kumar, met Health Minister Nishant Kumar in Patna and raised concerns over the alleged assault on a journalist in Saharsa.
The delegation briefed the minister on the reported sequence of events and sought an impartial, high-level investigation into the matter. It also urged the government to ensure the safety of journalists and take strict action against those found responsible.
Nishant Kumar said he had taken the details of the Saharsa incident seriously. He consulted officials during the meeting and informed the delegation that the matter was already being investigated at the District Magistrate level.
The minister said strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty after the investigation.
Demand for state-level inquiry
The WJAI delegation, however, argued that the seriousness of the allegations warranted an investigation beyond the district level. It demanded the formation of a state-level special investigation committee to ensure transparency and impartiality.
The association said a high-level inquiry would help establish the complete facts and reduce the possibility of negligence during the investigation.
Responding to the demand, Nishant Kumar directed Amit Kumar Pandey, Director of the State Health Society, to constitute a state-level investigation committee. The minister instructed that the committee be formed by the following day so that the inquiry could begin promptly.
Focus on journalists’ safety
During the meeting, WJAI representatives also stressed the need for authorities to treat allegations involving journalists with seriousness.
They said journalists serve as a link between the public and the administration while carrying out their professional responsibilities and that any alleged assault or coercive action against them should be investigated thoroughly.
The minister assured the delegation that the inquiry would be impartial and that action would be taken in accordance with the law against anyone found guilty.
WJAI members welcomed the minister’s intervention and said they hoped the state-level investigation would establish the facts of the Saharsa incident and ensure appropriate action against those found responsible.
WJAI delegation
The delegation included State General Secretary Sagar Kumar, State Secretary Rajkamal and State Joint Secretary Aditya Kumar. Journalists Abhimanyu Kumar, Gaurav Rajhans, Gaurav Kumar and Aryan Raj were also present.
