Expressing serious concern over the incidents of attacks on media persons across the country, an Assam based scribes’ forum once again urged the Union government in New Delhi led by Narendra Modi to urgently implement a national action plan ensuring protection for the journalists on duty.
The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA), while pointing out to a recent incident in the city where senior photo journalist Rajib Bhattacharjee was targeted by some miscreants on Tuesday night, demanded stringent actions against the culprits.
Bhattacharjee, who works for The Sentinel, was physically attacked by three goons at Kathmill locality of Rupnagar as he was returning home from his office. Stopping his two-wheelers on the way, the thugs demanded his belongings. Bhattacharjee was finally rescued by two other youths who had arrived at the location on time. Later an official complaint was lodged at Birubari police outpost and was also intimated to Paltan Bazar police station.
The JFA appealed to Guwahati Police Commissioner Mukesh Agarwal for his personal initiative to nab immediately the culprits, who went on hooliganism spree in various locations of the city and urged Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, also in charge of State home portfolio, to formulate a special protection policy for the media persons.
Assam Minister Ranjit Das has sparked outrage after allegedly using a caste-based slur during an election campaign, prompting protests and a police complaint.
The controversy erupted while Das, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, was campaigning for a ruling coalition candidate in the 30-Bamunigaon constituency of the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council on March 18. During a public speech, he referenced India’s four main social groups—"the poor, women, farmers, and youth"—but also used a derogatory word for Scheduled Castes in Assam.
The All Assam Scheduled Caste Youth Students’ Union filed a complaint against Das at Dispur Police Station under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes...
A massive protest erupted today in Sonapur, near Guwahati, as thousands of tribal people gathered to oppose the proposed transfer of vast tracts of land to the Indian Air Force. The demonstration, held at the Sonapur Mini Stadium on Friday, March 28, saw local tribal communities voicing their outrage against what they perceive as an encroachment on their ancestral lands, with slogans such as "We will give our blood, not our land" and "Down with Digaru Air Force" resonating through the air.
The unrest stems from the state government's alleged plan to hand over a significant portion of land in Digaru, close to Sonapur, to the Air Force. This move has sparked widespread anger among the...
The Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court of Kamrup Metropolitan District has granted bail to senior journalist Dilowar Hussain Majumdar in his second case. Following interrogation and searches starting on March 27, Majumdar was produced in court on Friday and released on a bond of 20,000 rupees. The decision came after his advocate, Angshuman Bora, presented arguments in his favor.
Police conducted searches at Majumdar’s residence and business establishments, seizing two dumpers during the operation. In a related case involving the managing director of Apex Bank, the police advocate requested the addition of extra charges, but the court rejected the plea. Due to a delay in submitting...
The Press Club of India (PCI) on Friday sharply criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for attempting to define who qualifies as a “legitimate” journalist, following the re-arrest of senior digital media journalist Dilawar Hussain Mozumder by Assam Police on March 27 evening. Mozumder, assistant general secretary of the Guwahati Press Club (GPC), was detained hours after his bail release in a case involving alleged theft of bank documents while covering a protest tied to a recruitment scam. The PCI demanded Mozumder’s immediate release, accusing the state of undermining press freedom.
The PCI’s statement highlighted Sarma’s remarks as a distraction from the core issue—...
The Shillong Press Club (SPC) has strongly condemned the arrest of senior Assam journalist Dilawar Hussain Mazumdar, issuing a statement denouncing the action. Mazumdar, the chief reporter of Crosscurrent Digital Media, was first arrested on the night of March 25. Although he was granted bail on March 26, he was rearrested on March 27 based on a complaint filed by the managing director of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank.
SPC President D L Syiemlieh stated that the rearrest of Mazumdar shortly after being granted bail is deeply concerning and represents a shocking misuse of legal processes. He emphasized that this action constitutes a direct assault on the freedom of the press and...
An emergency executive meeting of the Guwahati Press Club was held today, March 28, 2025, to address the recent re-arrest of Dilwar Hussein Mazumdar and assess the ensuing situation. The meeting concluded with the announcement of the following action plan to highlight concerns and demand action.
All journalists are urged to wear black badges during duty hours from March 28, 2025, to March 30, 2025, as a mark of protest and solidarity.
A general meeting of journalists has been scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2025, at 11:30 AM at the Press Club premises. The agenda includes a detailed discussion on the decisions taken during the impromptu meeting held on March 26, 2025. Resolutions will...
A tense situation unfolded at Gauhati University today as students staged a fierce protest against the alleged misbehavior of the university’s examination controller. The demonstration escalated when Vice-Chancellor Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta, instead of calming the students, was seen sitting on the ground and shouting, “Hit me, hit me!” in a dramatic display of defiance. This behavior further provoked the students, intensifying the unrest on campus.
According to sources, the protest erupted after Examination Controller Kandarpa Sharma reportedly mistreated a section of students earlier today, sparking outrage among the Postgraduate Students’ Union (PGSU). During the agitation, the Vice-...
Dilwar Hussain Mazumdar, a journalist associated with a local digital media outlet, has been re-arrested by the Guwahati Police from Central Jail and taken to the Panbazar Police Station. This is in connection with Case No. 111/25, where multiple charges have been filed under sections 329, 324(4), 351(3), 309(4), and 115 of the Indian Penal Code. Notably, Section 309(4) is non-bailable, carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years if convicted.
Additionally, a robbery case has been filed against him for allegedly fleeing with crucial documents from the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank. On March 25, the bank authorities lodged two FIRs, but initially, only one was disclosed by the police....
The state of Assam's healthcare system has come under intense scrutiny following a tragic incident in Nagaon, where a father lost his daughter due to alleged medical negligence. Dr. Surajit Kumar Bhagwat, a spokesperson for Nagaon Medical College, has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission after his 21-year-old daughter, Angana Bhardwaj, passed away due to a lack of timely medical care.
On December 16, 2024, Angana suddenly fell ill and lost consciousness. Dr. Bhagwat rushed her to a private clinic, Kapili Nursing Home in Nagaon, where treatment was started immediately. However, her condition worsened rapidly, and the clinic, lacking essential emergency equipment like an ECG...
After being released on bail, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma met Mahbubul Haque, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), at the Chief Minister's residence. This was the first meeting of Sangma after his release from custody. During their meeting, it is reported that the Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, discussed the use of unethical methods in examinations.
Following the meeting, Haque described the discussion as "important and insightful," noting that the Chief Minister had provided valuable advice. After spending nearly a month in custody, Haque expressed his intention to focus on the education sector at USTM. He emphasized...
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