Guwahati: The Assam Women Journalists’ Forum (AWJF) has denounced the detention and subsequent arrest of Guwahati-based journalist Dilwar Hussain Mazumdar, calling for his immediate release. The forum described the police action as a direct assault on press freedom and an alarming misuse of legal provisions to silence journalists.
Mazumdar, the chief reporter of a digital news portal, was detained by Panbazar police on March 25, 2025, after questioning the Managing Director of Assam Co-operative Apex Bank during a protest. The demonstration, led by a political party’s youth wing, alleged a multi-crore recruitment scam linked to the bank. According to reports, Mazumdar was summoned to the police station shortly after engaging with the bank official and was held for several hours without any formal charges being disclosed.
During his detention, Mazumdar’s family, legal representatives, and colleagues were reportedly denied access to him. Despite being diabetic and observing a fast, he was also deprived of essential medication and food. It was only after midnight that police formally charged him under Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal intimidation, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The AWJF expressed grave concern over the police’s handling of the case, arguing that journalists must be free to report on issues of public interest without the threat of intimidation or legal retaliation. The forum highlighted that detaining a journalist for performing his professional duty raises serious questions about democratic values and media independence in Assam.
In addition to condemning the arrest, the AWJF criticized the police for denying Mazumdar basic medical care during his detention, calling it a blatant violation of his fundamental rights. The forum urged the state government to ensure the journalist’s immediate release and to prevent law enforcement agencies from misusing legal provisions to suppress media voices.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage among media organizations and civil rights groups, who view Mazumdar’s arrest as part of a growing pattern of threats against independent journalism. Calls for greater legal protection for journalists and increased accountability from law enforcement have intensified in the wake of his arrest.
The AWJF reaffirmed its commitment to defending press freedom and demanded that authorities allow journalists to operate without fear of harassment or legal reprisals, stressing that a free press is essential for a healthy democracy.