Kerala Guv, CM, leaders condole demise of noted journalist K M Roy

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader V D Satheesan, union minister V Muraleedharan and other senior leaders condoled the passing away of senior journalist K M Roy and said his contribution towards ensuring the rights of journalists will be long remembered.

Noted journalist and columnist Roy (84) died at his residence here on Saturday, family sources said.

The body will be laid to rest at St Thomas Church on Sunday and the Kerala government has issued orders to accord a state funeral in his honour.

The state protocol officer has directed the Ernakulam District Collector to make arrangements for presenting the state honours to the veteran journalist.

The government has ''learnt with profound sorrow the demise of K M Roy, veteran Kerala journalist and recipient of Swadeshabhimani-Kesari award, the highest honour for media persons instituted by the Government of Kerala,'' the order read. ''Deeply grieved to hear about the demise of Shri K.M Roy, a veteran journalist who served both Malayalam and English media... Shri. K M Roy's contribution to journalism, as well as towards ensuring the rights of journalists will be long remembered. My heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace,'' Khan tweeted.

Roy, a senior journalist and a noted columnist, began his career in 1961 as co-editor of Keralaprakasam.

He had also worked with the Economic Times, The Hindu and UNI news agency.

He retired from active journalism as the Editor of the Mangalam daily.

Vijayan said with the demise of Roy, Kerala has lost a prominent journalist who had made significant contributions to English and Malayalam journalism for many decades.

''As a notable news agency reporter, columnist and cultural activist, Roy's contributions were valuable to Kerala. His analytical reports strengthened the people's right to know. His death is an irreparable loss,'' Vijayan said in his condolences message.

Satheesan said the demise of Roy was a loss to the Indian media.

''Roy carved out his own space in the history of media history with his impartial and fearless writing,'' Satheesan said. Muraleedharan said Roy was an impartial media personality who always upheld moral values.

''He was able to take bold stances and convey them to his readers through his writings. He created his own space through strong editorials,'' Muraleedharan said.