Jharkhand: TV journalist Akhilesh Pratap shot dead in Chatra. 2 journalists killed in 24 hours

Taza TV journalist Akhilesh Pratap was shot dead by unidentified men near his house in Jharkhand's Chatra district on the night of 12 May.

The 38-year-old journalist, also known as Indra Deo, lived in the Sadar market area in Chatra.

Members of Pratap's family blocked the main road in Chatra on 13 May demanding compensation and immediate identification and arrest of culprits.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das, who was addressing an election rally in Panki assembly constituency in Palamu, condemned the incident and directed the Director General of Police to ensure that the case was cracked at the earliest.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav reached Chatra to meet the family.

The Jharkhand Journalist Association has submitted a memorandum of demands in connection with the murder. "We have demanded immediate unraveling of the case, compensation to the tune of Rs 50 lakh," said JJA State convenor Shah Nawaz.

Hours after Pratap was shot dead, senior Hindustan Hindi journalist Rajdev Ranjan was shot dead in Bihar's Siwan on the night of 13 May.

The news of two journalists being killed in under 24 hours has drawn condemnation from across the board. According to the World Press Freedom Index nine journalists were killed in India last year.

-With inputs from Agencies