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October 24, 2025 – India –
Veteran journalist Lakshmi Narayan Singh, 54, widely known as “Pappu,” was brutally killed on Thursday evening in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The attack took place near the Harsh Hotel, where Singh was ambushed by a group of assailants armed with a large knife. The attackers inflicted more than twenty deep wounds to his neck, abdomen, and arms before fleeing the scene. Singh, who was related to former High Court Bar Association president Ashok Singh, was rushed to Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital but died from his injuries shortly after arrival.
Police identified the prime suspect as Vishal, who allegedly bought the weapon from Machhli Bazaar in Khuldabad before the attack. A police encounter followed hours later, during which Vishal was shot in the leg and arrested. He is currently under treatment at a hospital. Investigators have also detained at least two other individuals believed to have participated in the killing. The initial inquiry suggests that a personal dispute between Singh and Vishal may have escalated into the fatal assault. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional conspirators and are expanding the investigation.
The brutal nature of the attack has triggered widespread outrage across India’s media community. Journalists’ associations and press-freedom advocates have condemned the killing and urged authorities to ensure swift and transparent justice. They stressed that such incidents deepen the climate of fear facing local reporters, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where several journalists have faced intimidation, violence, or criminal charges in recent years.
Singh’s murder underscores the escalating dangers facing regional journalists who report on sensitive issues or operate in areas with weak security guarantees. Press-freedom defenders have called for stronger legal protections, accountability for violence against journalists, and a full investigation to ensure all perpetrators are held responsible.
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