Assam: Shalguri residents allege 'distorted' reporting in Deka Satradhikar arrest; urge media restraint

Residents of Sri Sri Shalguri Satra in Assam's Sivasagar district on July 11 claimed that the arrest of Kirti Kamal Dev Goswami has been presented in a "distorted manner" and urged the media to avoid portraying him as guilty before the court delivers its verdict.

Addressing a press conference at the Shalguri Natya Mandir, members of the local community said Goswami is an accused in the case and not a convicted person.

"Kirti Kamal Dev Goswami is only an accused. No court has declared him guilty yet. Therefore, it is not appropriate to project him as a criminal," representatives of the local community said.

The residents also objected to reports published by some news portals referring to Goswami as the 'Deka Satradhikar' (junior head of the satra), calling the description factually incorrect.

They clarified that Kirtikamal Dev Goswami is not the Deka Satradhikar, and appealed to media organisations not to drag his father—who holds the position of Deka Satradhikar—into the controversy.

The community further alleged that a prominent individual bearing the surname Hazarika had played a role in instigating the events that led to Goswami's arrest. However, they did not provide any evidence to substantiate the allegation or publicly identify the individual.

The police have not issued any response to the allegations made during the press conference. The matter remains under investigation.