EDITORS’ Guild alleges lack of safety & protection for journalists in Assam
The Editors Guild of India has expressed concern over ‘’the growing incidence of violence against journalists in Assam’’. In a letter to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal EGI has alleged that journalists have been subjected to mob attacks, intimidation, and threats vitiating the environment necessary for the functioning of an independent and vibrant media.
‘’While we appreciate your firm condemnation of these incidents, the situation demands your urgent intervention to assure the media that they are safe to report without fearing retribution from the criminal mafia. In the absence of that, a sense of impunity could embolden attackers who may believe that they are above the law’’. The manner in which Milan Mahanta, 42, who writes for Asomiya Pratidin and Dainik Asom, was tied to a pole by five criminals and beaten mercilessly, is a testament of the difficult environment in which the journalists work in Assam. A video of this assault has gone viral on social media. Mahanta, who has named the assailants, claimed that he was beaten up for his reportage against the Kamrup district gambling and land mafias. This incident comes close on the heels of the death of Parag Bhuyan, a journalist with Pratidin Time, who was overrun by a car near his home in Kakopathar. The Pratidin Time editor has alleged that Bhuyan was murdered as he had been receiving threats for exposing corruption and illegal activities of the criminal nexus in the Kakopathar area. ‘’We record our appreciation of your efforts in bringing monetary relief to the kin of the 32 journalists killed in Assam since 1981 with generous compensations. However, most of the cases have not been resolved with allegations of shoddy investigations. In many cases culprits roam free, intimidating the families of the slain journalists. We hope you will urge the state police to take necessary steps for rebuilding confidence in the media so that they can operate without fear.’’ Pic courtesy: YouTube
