Journalists fast for CBI probe into Dey murder

Mumbai: Journalists in Maharashtra Wednesday took part in relay hunger strikes to denounce the government's refusal to hand over the probe into journalist Jyotirmoy Dey's murder to the CBI.

The main event was at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh premises.

"There has been a very good response. At any given time, there are 50-60 media persons on hunger strike," said an office bearer of the Mumbai Press Club.

Similar hunger strikes were held in all cities and towns of Maharashtra, said journalist activist S.M. Deshmukh.

The journalists are also unhappy that Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan did not consider demands for the resignation of Home Minister R.R. Patil and suspension of Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik, said Mumbai Press Club secretary Sunil Shivdasani.

Following a protest march by over 500 journalists Monday, the government promised to bring in a law to protect journalists but refused to hand over the Dey killing probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

On Tuesday, Chavan again rejected demands for a CBI probe. He hinted that Mumbai Police had made headway in the case.

"Let us not undermine the morale of the police force. We have to give them sufficient time before we can consider other options," he said.

Dey was shot dead by four motorcycle borne assailants near his residence in Mumbai's northeastern suburb Powai Saturday afternoon.

The state cabinet is likely to discuss a proposed bill for protection of journalists and providing more stringent punishment to those attacking media persons on Wednesday.

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