Bihar Journalist's Murder Adds to Concerns Over Media Safety

Vimal Kumar (35), a reporter for a leading Hindi daily in the Araria district of Bihar, was shot dead by four unknown gunmen inside his home in a horrifying incident. Vimal was scheduled to testify as a key witness in the 2019 murder case of his younger brother just weeks before this tragedy unfolded. This is the eighth attack on a journalist in Bihar since 2016, and three of those attacks have already resulted in deaths.

Respected journalist Vimal Kumar was murdered in his home in the Araria area of Bihar. The attackers, who have yet to be identified, struck in the wee hours of the morning. Vimal was set to be the star witness in the murder trial of his brother when this sad event occurred. In 2019, his brother Gabbu was murdered.

This episode illustrates a disturbing pattern of assaults on the press in Bihar. Eight attacks on members of the media have occurred in this state since 2016, with three resulting in fatalities. Opposition parties have accused the ruling administration of Bihar of failing to maintain order in light of rising concerns for the safety of journalists in the state.

Bihar's chief executive, Nitish Kumar, has expressed shock and promised swift response. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an opposing political group, however, harshly criticised the government, saying that "jungle raj" had returned to the state and law and order had completely broken down.

According to his relatives, Vimal Kumar was sound sleeping at his home in the village of Premnagar when the four assailants knocked on the door. Vimal was gunned down by his attackers as soon as he went outside. Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Singh said that multiple shots were fired at close range into Vimal's chest. Vimal tragically passed away from his wounds right there and then. According to reports, Vimal was getting ready to testify against the people who he believed were responsible for his brother's death in the coming weeks.

The President of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Chirag Paswan, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have both spoken out against the murder. Paswan criticised the current state of law and order, claiming that these acts were typical of "Jungle Raj."

The killing of journalist Vimal Kumar has once again brought attention to the peril faced by reporters in the state of Bihar. The state administration must take fast and decisive steps to safeguard the safety and protection of journalists in the wake of the ninth attack on a journalist since 2016. The sad accident demands a complete revision of safety protocols in order to avoid similar catastrophes in the future.

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