New Delhi: Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Tuesday announced financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh to the next of kin of the DD News cameraman who was killed in a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh.
Rathore said that Rs 10 lakh would be given as ex gratia by Doordarshan and Rs 5 lakh would be from the Journalist Welfare Fund of the Press Information Bureau, according to an official statement.
Sub Inspector Rudra Pratap, Assistant Constable Mangalu and Doordarshan (DD) News cameraman Achyutanand Sahu were killed in a Naxal ambush in poll-bound Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Tuesday.
Earlier, Rathore tweeted: “Strongly condemn the Naxal attack on @DDNewsLive crew in Dantewada. Deeply saddened by the demise of our cameraman Achyuta Nanda Sahu and two jawans of @crpfindia (sic).”
“These insurgents will not weaken our resolve. We will prevail,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Rathore promised all assistance to the family of the cameraman.
“We will take care of his (cameraman’s) family. We salute all those media persons who go for coverage in such dangerous situations, remember their bravery,” he said.
The Doordarshan Team was moving in Dantewada for pre-election coverage of the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls scheduled for next month, the statement said.
PTI