Assam: Journo arrest on ‘false allegations’ is blatant attempt to curtail Freedom of Press, says Tarun Gogoi

Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on July 17^th , 2020 said that the arrest of Dhubri-based journalist Rajib Sarma is a blatant attempt to curtail the Freedom of Press which is danger for democracy.

“Arrest of a journalist Rajib Sharma by Dhubri police in the midnight on a false complain by an officer against whom there is charges of corruption as disclosed by Mr Sharma, is most condemnable. It is a blatant attempt to curtail the freedom of press which is danger for democracy (sic),” the former CM tweeted.

Also read: Assam: Journo arrest on ‘false allegations’ reveals cross-border ‘Gau-Mata’ smuggling, says Upamanyu Hazarika

Meanwhile, Prabajan Virodhi Mancha convenor Upmanyu Hazarika said that the arrest of journalist Rajib Sarma on ‘false allegations’ in Dhubri, Assam has revealed how cross-border ‘Gau-Mata’ smuggling is going on under the rule of the BJP government in the state.

“The midnight arrest of Dhubri journalist Rajib Sarma on false allegations by the District Forest Officer, in a criminal complaint, which caused him to lose his father who died of shock in a heart attack only shows and demonstrates the depth and strength of the cattle smuggling mafia in Dhubri district bordering Bangladesh. Assam today is in the grip of mafias and syndicates, if the eastern-most part Margherita and adjoining areas are under the complete control of the coal mafia, the western-most part is entirely under the grip of the cow mafia,” he added.

Besides, he said, “The manner in which Rajib Sarma has been arrested on false charges shows that the District Administration is completely under the control of the cattle mafia and this can only happen with patronage from the ruling party. It is clear that the BJP leaders who show no hesitation in paying obeisance to “Gau-Mata” show no compunction in sacrificing cattle to the smuggling racket. At the end of the day it is money alone that matters.”

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