Silchar: Police official harasses senior journalist returning from desk; “I was abused, threatened” Abhijeet Bhattacharjee

Cachar Police has been demonstrating throughout the district to exhibit dominance and control over law and order situation amidst calls for a strike. The Superintendent of Police himself urged people to continue with the work as they are there to secure safety from the picketers.

While picketing might start during the day and obstruct people going to work, it turns out one of the Police officials himself obstructed a senior journalist returning from the desk after completing his duties. Abhijeet Bhattacharjee, a veteran television journalist associated with the Prag News and Bengali daily broadsheet Dainik Prantajyoti was on his way back from his desk at around 1:00 am.

“As I was riding my two-wheeler towards my home, a man stopped right in front of me after overtaking me near the Chaitanya Press at Hospital Road. For a moment, I feared he will clash and we would meet an accident. Soon he confronted stating that he is a Police official and how could I be out on the road at this hour. He called me K**A and started abusing me further,” recalls Abhijeet Bhattacharjee.

He adds, he identified himself as a journalist and that further irked the Police Officials. “I don’t give a damn about journalists and all, how could you step out on the road at this hour,” he reiterated his question, says Bhattacharjee. As any senior journalist would, Abhijeet Bhattacharjee has his connections in the Police Department and he immediately informed the Senior Officials. Meanwhile, Bhattacharjee asked the constable to arrest him if he has committed a crime and according to Bhattacharjee, that is when the official fled the spot.

The additional SP of Silchar rushed to the spot along with other senior officials. Cachar SP Numal Mahatta took cognizance of the turn of events. Taking to the official press group of Cachar Police, the SP said, “It has been brought to my notice that one police personnel has misbehaved with one of our media friends Senior journalist Shri Abhijit Bhattacharjee. An immediate inquiry has been ordered and lawful action will be taken against the erring person.”

Bhattacharjee too shared his reaction with Barak Bulletin, “It is a really unfortunate incident that raises concerns on the safety of reporters returning home late after sending the newspaper to press. As it turns out, the new Police recruits have made Silchar unsafe for the Press.”

The turn of affairs has been condemned by the members of the press. The members of the Press have demanded an unconditional apology from the Police personnel. Moreover, senior members of the Press have raised concerns about the safety of the reporters.