Balaghat: Three independent journalists reporting on the deaths of tribal children in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district have faced repeated suspension and, later, permanent disabling of their Instagram accounts, according to a report by Alt News.
Journalists allege surveillance and pressure
Journalists Bindu Gurjar, Monika Singh and Lokbhadra Singh had travelled to Balaghat to report on the deaths of children, many from the Baiga tribal community. Their reporting examined discrepancies between the official death toll and figures being cited by local residents and tribal organisations.
According to their accounts to Alt News, they were followed by people in plain clothes, questioned about their movements and pressured through local intermediaries and hotel authorities. They said the circumstances eventually forced them to leave Balaghat on September 3. These claims have been attributed to the journalists and have not been independently established by Alt News.
The journalists also reported concerns about overcrowding and shortages at the district hospital. Alt News reported that the government had initially cited eight deaths, while local residents and other groups were reporting figures ranging from 24 to 30. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has also sought the state government’s response to a petition alleging more than 30 deaths and large numbers of children being admitted to a 50-bed hospital.
Instagram accounts repeatedly suspended
Bindu’s account was suspended on September 6 and later permanently disabled on September 18. Monika’s account was suspended twice before being restored, but was permanently disabled on September 20. Lokbhadra’s account was suspended several times and remained unavailable as of September 23, according to Alt News.
Meta cited its “Community Standards on account integrity” in the suspension notices. The Press Club of India had earlier condemned the suspensions and called for an impartial investigation.
The episode has drawn attention to the difficulties faced by independent journalists while documenting a serious public health situation affecting vulnerable tribal communities.