Geneva: The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), a global media rights group, has called for a fair investigation into the suspected murder of journalist Sahadev Dey in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Dey (35), who ran Republic Andaman, went missing on March 29 from Diglipur fish market. His charred body was found in a field in Deshbandhu Nagar on April 2.
Police have arrested four individuals, including a restaurant owner and his staff, citing personal disputes as the motive. However, PEC highlighted Dey’s reporting on illegal timber smuggling, soil cutting, and gambling, urging a high-level probe to uncover the real culprits.
PEC President Blaise Lempen stressed the need for justice and compensation for Dey’s family. Nava Thakuria, PEC’s South Asia representative, noted that Dey is the third journalist killed in India this year and the 46th media victim worldwide. Local journalists and civil society groups are now demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the case.
