Shujaat Bukhari killing evokes condemnations from media, politicians; 'Rising Kashmir' hits stands

Srinagar: Last rites ceremony of 'Rising Kashmir' editor-in-chief Shujaat Bukhari, who was shot dead by unknown miscreants last night in Srinagar, was performed in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla on Friday.
Bukhari and his two PSOs came out of 'Rising Kashmir' office in Press Enclave around 7:15 pm on Thursday and were attacked by militants while boarding their cars. Bukhari is survived by his wife and one son and a daughter.

"Three motorcycle-borne militants came and fired at Bukhari and his guards. Bukhari and one guard were killed and another security guard critically injured," Jammu and Kashmir police chief SP Vaid told reporters.

Despite this irretrievable loss, Rising Kashmir - the English daily published its latest edition on Friday and hit the stands with its front page carrying the full-page photograph of late editor-in-chief in black background. The page also carried the message that the paper would not be cowed down.

"You left all too sudden but you will always be our leading light with your professional conviction and exemplary courage. We won't be cowed down by the cowards who snatched you from us. We will uphold your principle of telling the truth howsoever unpleasant it may be...Rest in peace!? the message read.

Read | AAP Dharna: Sit-in by CM Arvind Kejriwal and cabinet colleagues enters fifth day

While the Rising Kashmir and team paid this fitting tribute to Bukhari, politicians, ministers and media organisations from across India strongly condemn the assassination of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari.

Praising the Rising Kashmir's courageous step to publish the latest edition as a tribute to Bukhari, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said, "The show must go on. As Shujaat would have wanted it to. This is today's @RisingKashmir issue. That Shujaat's colleagues were able to bring out the paper in the face of insurmountable grief is a testament to their professionalism and the most fitting tribute to their late boss."

Besides the tweet, Abdullah has also shared a picture of the front page of the daily.