Senior journalists in Silchar condemn death threat, attack on press; CM's media advisor calls SP

By barakbulletin On November 30, 2020 - 8:54 am

Three journalists in the Katigorah area were brutally attacked the day before yesterday. According to scribe Imad Uddin Mazumdar, he was on his way back home after reporting a devastating accident on the National Highway when goons attacked him.

The same night, senior journalist, Himu Laskar who is associated with Dainik Samayik Prasanga was threatened. At Kathal Road, a group of people hurdled there said taunted him saying, “Malin Sarma died coming under a tipper, and now its time for a few more journalists must come under the tipper.”

The threats then became more direct as someone in that group said, “Take my Tipper’s key and do the diving act.” Himu Laskar informed SP Cachar, DC Cachar, DIG Southern Range about the incident. A meeting was held between journalists and Cachar SP at his office. SP Bhanwar Lal Meena condemned the incidents and assured prompt action.

Journalists across print, web, and television condemned the incidents. SP Cachar said that he has got a call from the media advisor to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal after the executive editor of Bartalipi, Pranabananda Das briefed him about the attacks.

Barak Bulletin reached out to the veteran journalists and editors and here is what they had to say:

Bijoy Krishna Nath, Editor In Chief, Dainik Jugasangkha

At a place like Katigorah, journalists were beaten and got injured in front of the police while they stayed a mute spectator to it. The police are still unable to arrest anyone. The Kathal Road incident also occurred at the heart of the town where a few miscreants gave death threats to a journalist. I condemn the incidents and at the same time, demand that the police should check the licenses of tipper drivers.

Niloy Paul, Editor In Chief, Dainik Prantojyoti

Recently we are seeing that various kinds of attacks are being organised against the print and electronic media in various forms. The attack has reached such a point where the chief and managing editors of media houses are harassed personally. This is a dangerous trend for a democratic country like India and we cannot let this go on. I would urge everyone to unite and protest against it. Political leaders irrespective of their party affiliation should take a stand. The administration must take necessary measures for curbing the menace. If they don’t, we should assume that there is a conspiracy behind it.

Monomohan Misra, Editor In Chief, Gati Dainik

It is the job of journalists to report what happened unbiasedly. There’s no reason to not accept the news like a coward. Whatever happened is condemnable and it is a threat to us. We can raise our voice but it is the duty of the police to take action.

Dilip Kumar, Editor In Chief, Prerna Bharti

If such mischievous elements are present in Silchar and they dare to threaten journalists then it is a matter of grave concern. The administration should take strict action against them. If they don’t, the media fraternity will make their voices heard and protest. It is unimaginable that the people of Silchar can threaten journalists. Let an inquiry be conducted and their faces be unmasked before society. The Malin Sarma case should be reopened and the police should interrogate the ones who were taking Malin Sarma’s name to threaten the journalist in Kathal Road.

Arijit Aditya, editor in chief, Bartalipi

Both the incidents are condemnable. Tippers are creating a menace on the road across the district. Samayik Prasanga published an anchor story on the front page about the accident in Kathal Road on November 19. It is possible that the journalist is being attacked because of that report. The press is also partly responsible for the menace that the Tippers are creating today. If we recall, certain restrictions were imposed after Malin Sarma’s death. But there is no clue on the stand today and the press hardly followed up. The lack of follow-up reports takes away the attention from the issue and it gets suppressed.

Taimur Raja Choudhury, editor-in-chief, Dainik Samayik Prasanga

A death threat to another journalist evoking the sentiment associated with the death of a fellow journalist, Malin Sarma is a heinous act. Mafias have got wings of fire because of the inaction. They don’t give a damn about Police or Press anymore. The administration must safeguard liberty or else we will no longer remain a democracy. At stake is not just the life of a journalist but the entire freedom of the press.