UP journalist murder: Akhilesh govt announces Rs 30 lakh compensation, family to end strike on Tuesday

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced an aid of Rs 30 lakh, two government jobs and an "impartial" probe into the killing of Shahjahanpur journalist in which a minister is an accused, after which the deceased's family decided to end their hunger strike from tomorrow. 

The family members of deceased journalist Jagendra Singh said today that they will end their indefinite strike tomorrow — they had begun their strike last week demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged murder case.

Nearly two weeks after the shocking incident took place, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav met the family members today.

"We had three demands-- financial assistance, government jobs and justice in the case. The CM has accepted all the three demands. We are happy that CM paid heed," Jagendra's father Sumer Singh told reporters after the meeting.

An official spokesman said Yadav announced Rs 30 lakh compensation to the deceased's family, government jobs to his two sons and also assured of speedy justice in the murder case.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Jagendra Singh's father said that they decided to call-off the strike after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav assured them of justice  and promised jobs for Singh's children.

Another family member of the deceased journalist said, “UP CM assured us that whoever is responsible will be punished no matter who they are.” 

“UP CM assured jobs for the children, support to the family and justice,” ANI further quoted Jagendra Singh's father as saying.

“We will call off the dharna tomorrow,” he added.

Meanwhile, elaborating on the assurances given by the Akhilesh government to the victim's family, the deceased journalist's son said, “The UP CM has asked us to keep faith in the state government. He has also gave us assurance that an unbiased enquiry will be done into the matter. Akhilesh Yadav also said that in three days the culprits will be punished.”

“We had asked for a CBI enquiry into the case, but CM asked us to wait for the police enquiry. He assured us that the police enquiry will be unbiased,” he added.

Singh's son also said that Akhilesh Yadav has assured him and his brother government jobs.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea seeking CBI probe into the alleged murder case.

Last week, the family members of the Shahjahanpur-based freelance journalist Jagendra Singh, who was allegedly killed by state minister Rammurti Singh Verma's henchmen and some police officials met the Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate of Shahjahanpur and demanded a CBI probe against MoS for Backward Class Welfare Ram Murti Singh Verma, who along with his associates and policemen, has been booked for the journalist’s murder.

Jagendra was reportedly set ablaze by Verma's henchmen on June 1, during a police raid at his house at Awas Vikas colony in Sadar Bazar area of Shahjananupr. He died during treatment at a hospital in Lucknow on June 8.

An FIR was registered against Verma and five others including policemen at Puwayan police station of Shahjahanpur under IPC 302 (murder), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

The journalist had invited Verma's ire by posting reports on Facebook about illegal mining activities and land grabbing against the minister.

(With Agency inputs)