Assam Journalist Arrested After Covering Protest Against All

In a disturbing incident that has raised concerns over press freedom in Assam, journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar was arrested late Tuesday night by Assam police. His arrest came after he was covering a protest against alleged financial irregularities at the Assam Co-operative Apex Bank (ACAB). The protest was organized by the youth wing of the regional Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), and it led to widespread protests from journalists, demanding justice and the immediate release of Mozumdar.

Details of the Arrest

Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar, a reporter for The CrossCurrent, a digital media outlet based in Assam, was detained by the police after he had been reporting on the protest against ACAB, where the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma serves as a director. Mozumdar was also the assistant general secretary of the Guwahati Press Club.

Protest Context: The protest was triggered by allegations of financial mismanagement within the bank, including irregularities in recruitment. The protestors, led by the Jatiya Yuva Shakti (youth wing of the AJP), were demanding a high-level inquiry into the issue.
Mozumdar's Role: Mozumdar was covering the protest when he approached Domabru Saikia, the managing director of ACAB, for comment on the ongoing allegations. He asked Saikia about the financial irregularities and recruitment issues plaguing the bank. Mozumdar’s attempt to interview Saikia led to his eventual arrest.

The Arrest Grounds and Charges

Mozumdar’s arrest was based on two separate complaints filed by Sishupal Boro, a security guard at the bank, and Domabru Saikia, the bank's managing director.

Complaint by Security Guard (Sishupal Boro)

Allegations: Boro accused Mozumdar of using derogatory and offensive language against him during the protest. The arrest was made based on the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which was invoked due to the nature of the remarks allegedly made by Mozumdar. According to the police, the remarks were intended to insult and demean the complainant, leading to emotional and psychological distress.
Offensive Remarks: The grounds of arrest mentioned that Mozumdar allegedly said, “Being a Bodo, you are doing too much,” which was interpreted as offensive and derogatory.

Complaint by ACAB Managing Director (Domabru Saikia)

Allegations of Unauthorized Entry: Saikia filed a second FIR accusing Mozumdar of unlawfully entering the bank's office and attempting to take documents. This was also cited as a reason for his detention.

Mozumdar’s Detention and Bail

After being detained at the Pan Bazar Police Station in Guwahati, Mozumdar was granted bail by the Chief Judicial Magistrate court on Thursday evening. However, due to the late hour, the necessary bail formalities could not be completed, and Mozumdar was forced to spend the night in police custody.

Lawyer’s Statement: Mozumdar’s lawyer, Santanu Borthakur, confirmed that although Mozumdar was granted bail, he remained in custody until after the formalities were completed.
Further Developments: The case against Mozumdar grew complicated when a second FIR was filed based on the complaint by Saikia, the managing director of ACAB. The new FIR could delay Mozumdar’s release, depending on how the investigation progresses.

Details of the Protest and the Allegations Against ACAB

The protest that led to Mozumdar's arrest was organized by the youth wing of the regional political party AJP, in response to the alleged financial mismanagement and recruitment irregularities within ACAB. The protestors called for a high-level inquiry into the bank’s operations and strict action against those responsible for the mismanagement.

ACAB’s director, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and its chairman, BJP MLA Biswajit Phukan, have been tied to the bank's controversial dealings, fueling accusations of political interference and corruption. Mozumdar had previously written about such irregularities in the bank, and his role in covering the protest put him directly at odds with the bank’s leadership.

Mozumdar's Coverage of the Protest

Mozumdar was at the protest to report on the demands for accountability and transparency regarding ACAB's financial dealings. As per reports from his editor, Arup Kalita, Mozumdar had approached the bank’s managing director, Domabru Saikia, to ask about the allegations. Mozumdar even recorded a video before his arrest in which he is seen speaking to Saikia, asking questions about the protest and allegations of corruption within the bank.

Saikia, who was approached by Mozumdar during the protest, later claimed that Mozumdar had entered the bank's premises and attempted to take away documents, a charge that Mozumdar’s supporters have dismissed as baseless. Kalita explained that after the protest, Mozumdar was asked by police to sit in a police car, but other reporters ensured that he went voluntarily to the police station.

Journalistic Solidarity and Protests

The arrest of Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar has sparked widespread protests from the media fraternity in Assam and across India. Journalists have expressed outrage at what they perceive as an attempt to suppress press freedom and intimidate journalists who dare to report on powerful figures.

Guwahati Press Club (GPC) Protests: The Guwahati Press Club organized protests against the arrest, condemning the Assam government's actions and the growing intolerance towards journalists in the state.
Other Protests: Journalists in Jorhat and other regions also staged demonstrations to show solidarity with Mozumdar.
Editors Guild of India (EGI): The EGI expressed concern over the detention of a journalist while on duty. They emphasized that the media should be free to report on important issues without fear of harassment or arrest. The EGI called for a halt to the growing repression of journalists in Assam.
Press Club of India (PCI): The PCI also issued a statement supporting the protests by GPC and condemned the arrest. They highlighted the importance of ensuring that journalists can work without fear of retaliation from political or business elites.

Political Context: ACAB’s Alleged Financial Mismanagement

The protest, which was the focus of Mozumdar's reporting, centered on allegations of significant financial mismanagement at ACAB. Critics have pointed to alleged irregularities in the bank's recruitment processes, as well as concerns about corruption.

Political Involvement: The protest was seen as particularly significant due to the political connections of the individuals involved. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam’s Chief Minister, serves as a director of ACAB, while BJP MLA Biswajit Phukan is the bank's chairman.
Allegations of a Multi-Crore Scam: The protests were focused on what many claim to be a multi-crore scam related to recruitment irregularities. Journalists and activists have called for a high-level inquiry into these allegations to ensure accountability.

The Broader Implications for Press Freedom

The arrest of Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar underscores the challenges facing journalists in Assam, and by extension, in India, where media outlets often face pressure when reporting on powerful political and corporate entities.

Suppression of Dissent: Mozumdar’s arrest is seen by many as part of a broader trend of suppressing dissent and discouraging investigative journalism.
Impact on Journalists' Work: The incident raises concerns about whether journalists in Assam will be able to freely report on matters involving political figures or powerful institutions without facing retaliation.

The Need for Press Protection

The arrest of Dilwar Hussain Mozumdar represents a significant attack on press freedom in Assam. While Mozumdar has been granted bail, the case is far from over, and it is yet to be seen how the authorities will handle the growing protests from journalists and the public.

The incident highlights the urgent need for greater protection of journalists, especially those reporting on issues of public interest involving political and financial corruption. In a democratic society, it is essential that the press remains free to hold those in power accountable without fear of harassment or imprisonment.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies