SRINAGAR Journalists on Monday held a silent sit-in protest against the brutal murder of veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari. In the protest, all the staff of the Rising Kashmir took part and they were joined by scribes and photo journalists from other publications too.
The protest started from the very spot where Bukhari was gunned down by unidentified gunmen and the protesters went up to the clock tower situated in the center of Lal Chowk.
Our editor has been silenced but he has left a legacy which would live on. He was an institution builder and one he built will continue to tread his path, said one of the journalists.
Bukhari was assassinated on June 14 by unidentified gunmen outside his office in Srinagar, a day before Eid and few minutes before Iftaar (breaking of Fast during Ramzan). Bukhari succumbed to his injuries and was declared brought dead at the hospital.
The march started from Press Enclave, locally known as Press Colony, where Bukhari was killed. It is also where most Kashmir-based newspapers have their offices. The protesters congregated at the clock tower in Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar before circling back.
The march was attended by a large number of journalists from the local media, including the staff of Rising Kashmir and its sister publications. Correspondents of national news channels, newspapers and magazines also participated. Many of the protestors held up printouts of the Rising Kashmirs front page from the day after Bukharis assassination. Some had taped pieces of paper over their mouths in a symbolic protest against the attempt to silence journalists.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein during his opening statement of the 38th session of the Human Rights Council on Monday said that he was deeply saddened by the assassination of veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari.
While calling him a human rights defender, Hussein said, I am tremendously saddened by the assassination last week of Shujaat Bukhari, a courageous human rights defender actively working for peace, including through his participation in the Track Two diplomacy seeking to help both India and Pakistan put an end to the violence.
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