Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today informed that 14 working journalists were attacked during the last five years in the State.
On the basis of the complaints, the police have taken action against 18 persons, the CM said while replying to a question in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
The State Government is providing security to the journalists of Odisha in accordance with the prevailing laws for the safety of common citizens, he said.
The Chief Minister further said the State Government is always sensitive for the safety of journalists and committed to ensure it.
In another reply, CM Shri Majhi informed that 50 journalists died due to Covid-19 in the State.
While replying to a question of BJD legislator Souvic Biswal in Assembly, Shri Majhi said 50 journalists died after being infected with Covid-19 virus in Odisha, of which ex-gratia of Rs 15 lakh has been provided to next of kin of 49 journalists.
The compensation was not paid to the family member of one journalist of Cuttack district, who died in Covid-19, because they have availed similar assistance from another state, he said.
As per the statement of the CM, maximum 10 journalists from Ganjam district were died due to Covid-19 while eight were from Khurda district (including Bhubaneswar), and four were from Sundargarh. Out of 30 districts of Odisha, 19 districts have reported such deaths.