Assam reporter’s arrest sparks protests in NE state
Detaining a journalist for simply doing his job raises serious questions about state’s treatment of the press: Women Journalists' Forum
Shillong, Mar 26: The Assam Women Journalists’ Forum has condemned the detention and subsequent arrest of journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder and demanded his immediate release.
In a statement on Wednesday, a day after the arrest, the Assam Women Journalists’ Forum condemned this attack on press freedom.
“Detaining a journalist for simply doing his job — seeking answers on a matter of public interest — raises serious questions about democratic principles and the state’s treatment of the press,” the forum said in the statement.
Mozumder, the chief reporter for The CrossCurrent, was detained on March 25, which has sparked significant concern among journalist communities, including the Assam Women Journalists’ Forum.
Mozumder was detained by the Panbazar police after he attempted to question the managing director of the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank during a protest by the youth wing of a political party against allegations of a multi-crore recruitment scam linked to the bank.
Reports indicate that Mozumder was summoned to the police station following his interaction with the bank’s Managing Director and was held for several hours without formal charges being disclosed at the time.
