Assam CM Sarma reacts over journalist arrest, says digital journalists not identified by state government
Assam CM Sarma reacts over journalist arrest, says digital journalists not identified by state government
Digital Desk: On Thursday, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that police did not arrest journalists and that the state government does not acknowledge digital journalists.
When asked about the arrest of digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder at a press conference currently, the Chief Minister stated that the state government's Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) does not officially recognize journalists working for portals or YouTube channels as recognized or accredited media persons.
The state government doesn't provide them with registrations, advertisements, or identification cards, and "they do not qualify as journalists according to our norms," Sarma stated.
Sarma further added, "The arrested person is not a recognized reporter, as the government only issues identity cards to print and electronic media journalists. It's unclear if he's a businessman or part-time journalist, No one has been arrested for writing in the state."
Sarma stated that if media associations are willing to accept responsibility for the cases against Mozumder, 'then he would be instantly released'.
Sarma later wrote on 'X' that it had come to his attention that several media outlets had reported the arrest of a journalist by the Assam Police. I'd like to clarify that the Assam Police have not arrested any journalists in recent times.
Following Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which prohibits criminal intimidation—the act of threatening someone with harm or compelling them to do something—as well as pertinent provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Mozumder, who also serves as the Assistant General Secretary of the Gauhati Press Club, was first taken into custody at midnight on Tuesday.
He was released on bail with a Rs 20,000 surety, but he was arrested again on Thursday for allegedly attempting to take important bank documents, which was not previously disclosed to his family or attorneys. The second case was filed by D Saikia, the managing director of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Limited, on Tuesday.
