Shillong, Sept 6: The Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association (MEPA) has strongly condemned the dastardly killing of senior lady journalist of Bengaluru, Gauri Lankesh.

Lankesh, a journalist-turned-activist from Bangalore, worked as an editor in Lankesh Patrike, a Kannada weekly started by her father, P. Lankesh, and ran her own weekly called Gauri Lankesh Patrika. She was shot to death by unknown assailants outside her home in Rajarajeshwari Nagar in Bengaluru on Tuesday evening.

Condemning the incident, a statement issued by MEPA on Wednesday here said, the Association condemned the killing of Lankesh by some alleged anti-social fringe elements of some political organisations or some other organisations which were uncomfortable with her crusade criticisms in the media against their nefarious activities perpetrated in society.

“Those who did the act should have desist themselves from such heinous crime, but they should have given adequate clarifications against the criticisms by the lady journalist in the media, not by taking away her life. This type of act is cowardice and savagery not fit for civilized society. We appeal to the criminals to stop this kind of act in future and own up responsibility and give up themselves to the custodians of the law. For how long can they hide from the law of the land,” ,” MEPA said.

Mourning the death of this illustrious and courageous journalist of Karnataka, MEPA, said that the press fraternity of India has lost one of the best journalists, which place is difficult to fill up.

MEPA also send its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Meanwhile Shillong Press Club and Meghalaya Electronic Media Association will hold a candle lit vigil in memory of slain Lankesh in Shillong on Thursday evening.

The candle lit vigil will held from 4.30 pm onwards at Khyndai Lad here, to pay tribute to the assassinated journalist.