Amid atrocities against Silchar journalists, Press Club stages massive protest demanding justice

SILCHAR: Amid a flurry of reports about attacks on journalists across Assam, the Silchar Journalists Association staged a protest demanding justice for local journalists Emad Uddin Mazumder and Himu Laskar who have been on Tuesday.

While Himu Laskar recently received death threats from unknown persons, Emad Uddin was attacked by a gang of thugs when he went to file the report of an accident.

The protest demanding justice for the duo was led by the Silchar press club -- the most influential body of scribes in the town -- and the protesters gheraoed the office of the Cachar subordinate police officer to bring notice to the recent spate of attacks against journalists.

The body demanded arrest of the culprits who have harassed the two local journalists and also demanded the safety and security of the journalists. The association also demanded the replacement of Katigora OC Nayanmani Singha for alleged "inaction".

ALSO READ: Editors Guild of India writes to Assam CM against growing incidents of violence against journalists

Earlier, atrocities against journalists in Assam had prompted the Editors Guild of India to write to the State’s Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal “with deep concern about the growing incidents of violence against journalists in Assam.”

The Editors Guild of India cited the example of Milan Mahanta (42), who writes for ‘Asomiya Pratidin’ and ‘Dainik Asom’, who was tied to a pole by 5 people and beaten up.

“They have been subjected to mob attacks, intimidation, and threats, which is vitiating the environment necessary for the functioning of an independent and vibrant media,” the journalists’ body wrote to the Assam Chief Minister, expressing concern for the media fraternity.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:                                                                  

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.