Guwahati: The arrest of journalist Abdul Majan, who reported on a hit-and-run incident allegedly involving the son of a prominent politician in Assam’s Biswanath district, has drawn strong criticism from the Guwahati Press Club.
Majan, a journalist from Sootea in Sonitpur, was taken into custody on Monday night after a counter-case was filed against him, accusing him of false reporting. He was granted bail after being presented in court.
The Guwahati Press Club condemned the arrest, alleging that the Assam Police have been harassing working journalists for years under various pretexts.
Club President Susmita Goswami and General Secretary Sanjay Roy expressed concern over the police’s use of physical and mental harassment tactics against journalists, raising alarm over press freedom and the safety of journalists in the state.
Majan had reported that Padma Hazarika, the son of Sootea MLA, was involved in the hit-and-run incident.
However, the MLA later refuted the claims, stating that his son was in the hostel of Tezpur University at the time of the accident.
Hazarika expressed surprise over the political reactions to the incident and criticized MLA Akhil Gogoi’s social media comments regarding the arrest, calling them politically motivated.
The MLA also responded to allegations made against the journalist, defending his actions while distancing himself from the controversy. He emphasized his long tenure as an MLA and maintained that the media should always be respected, though he questioned the motives behind the journalist’s report.
This incident has highlighted tensions over media coverage and political influence in Assam, with concerns growing about the challenges faced by journalists in the region.
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