After Atiq Ahmed shot dead by men posing as journalists, MHA to issue guidelines and SOPs for media

The killing of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf at around 10.30 pm Saturday was captured live on camera even as the two brothers were answering questions being posed by reporters.

Police cordon off the area where Atiq Ahmed was shot dead. (Express Photo: Ritesh Shukla)

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A day after three men posing as journalists killed gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs Sunday decided to issue detailed guidelines and standard operating procedures (SoPs) for the safety and security of media personnel while covering any spot or press conference.

The killing of Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf at around 10.30 pm Saturday was captured live on camera even as the two brothers were answering questions being posed by reporters. Their police custody remand, from April 13, was to end at 5 pm on Sunday.

The shooters and one of their associates surrendered to the police immediately after firing several rounds using semi-automatic pistols at the brothers. The police said they came in a motorcycle and that, after the shooting, they recovered a mike with NCR News written on it as well as a camera from their possession.

The guidelines and SoPs are expected to be issued in the upcoming days, a source said. MHA will also hold meetings with the officials concerned and will put up a mechanism for the journalists, asking them to follow certain norms during their coverage, added another source.

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