Journalist Attacked In Cachar Over Coal Syndicate Expose; FIR Filed Against Accused

A journalist from Cachar district, identified as Shamindra Paul, who works for Assamese satellite channels, was allegedly attacked on Sunday (November 2) in Katigorah by a person named Sailen Baishnab for a report he had filed exposing an alleged coal syndicate operating in the district.

According to Paul, his report—aired a few days ago on Ishan Bangla—named a few individuals allegedly linked to the coal smuggling racket, though only their first names were mentioned. One of the names, “Sailen,” allegedly provoked Baishnab, who later confronted and assaulted him in public.

Talking to Barak Bulletin, journalist Shamindra Paul said, “Three to four days ago, I did a news report related to a coal syndicate for Ishan Bangla and mentioned four to five people associated with it, as per my sources. I didn’t reveal their surnames or any other details — just the first names. One of them was Sailen, and there can be many with the same name in Cachar.”

“On Saturday night, I got a call from someone named Sailen Baishnab. His number was saved on my phone, and since he was known to me, I answered. He asked why his name was in the news report. I told him that I hadn’t mentioned anything like that. A few minutes later, he called again, saying I had mentioned Sailen Baishnab. I told him to check again, as I had only written Sailen — no surname or title. I even told him it’s better he doesn’t talk about it, as it would be like pointing one finger at me while the rest four point at him”, further added Shamindra.

But Sailen Baishnab didn’t stop there. Revealing more details of this fiasco, Shamindra said, “Later that night, he called me multiple times, but I didn’t answer. The next day (Sunday, November 2), I went to Katigorah to attend a BJP committee meeting to collect some media bytes. Since the media wasn’t allowed inside during the meeting, I waited outside the meeting hall with a senior journalist, Imad Uddin Mazumdar. In the meantime, Sailen Baishnab came in a car without a number plate. First, he asked why I used his name. I tried explaining the same thing again, and even my colleague tried to convince him, but he didn’t listen. Instead, he started hurling abuses and threatened to kill me if I ever entered Katigorah or Kalain again.”

The audacity of Sailen Baishnab was more than just that threat. “He then called someone, and another man — much younger and unknown to me — joined him. That person threatened to tie me with a rope and cut me into pieces. People nearby saw the incident, but no one came forward to help. Even an acquaintance of mine didn’t step in, seeing their aggression”, added Shamindra. “Finally, my driver came to my rescue and tried to stop them. I told someone I knew there to inform the police, as a police van was nearby. The police intervened after some time and rescued me safely.”

Paul added that on Monday morning (November 3), he filed an FIR at Kalain Thana against Sailen Baishnab and his associate.

“Police assured me that the accused will be arrested by Tuesday (November 4). I also spoke to fellow senior journalists who advised me to file the FIR, as this was not just an attack on me but on journalism itself. Members of the Katigorah Working Journalist Guild accompanied me to the police station to file the complaint,” Paul added.

The attack has sparked outrage among local journalist bodies, who have condemned the incident as an assault on press freedom and demanded strict action against the accused.