MHA to prepare SOPs for journalists after Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf sensational killings

The Ministry of Home Affairs will prepare standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the safety and security of journalists. The step is being taken after three assailants posing as journalists killed Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj.

Following the killings of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj by three gunmen posing as media personnel, the Centre has decided to create standard operating procedures for the protection and security of journalists, according to sources.

According to them, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would create standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the protection and safety of journalists under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The action is being conducted in response to the murders of Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj on Saturday night as they were chatting to media by three assailants acting as journalists, they said.

On Saturday night, when police officers escorted the two brothers to a local medical college for a checkup, three men acting as journalists opened fire on them, killing them both at point-blank range. 

Immediately after the incident, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called a high-level meeting and ordered a high-level inquiry into the whole matter. A three-member Judicial Commission (Judicial Inquiry Commission) was also formed under his instructions.  Security has been beefed up and Section 144 of CrPC has been imposed in all the districts of Uttar Pradesh.