Assam: Prominent Journalist Attacked in Guwahati, Media Fraternity Seeks Justice

Guwahati, November 24, 2019:

In a sensational incident, a Guwahati based scribe has been found injured on a secluded street in the capital city of Assam. Naresh Mitra, a senior journalist working with national daily The Times of India, was found with severe head injuries at an area under Bhangagarh police station of the city, police said.

According to reports, Mitra was on his way back home from his office around 10.30 pm, his colleagues said. Upon being found, rushed to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) by some unidentified persons.

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Mitra was profusely bleeding from his head when he was brought to the hospital, and family members later shifted him to the Nemcare hospital the same night.

Though initially he was conscious and spoke to the attending persons, Naresh slowly went unconscious and sill in the hospital bed.  On Sunday morning, doctors had to perform a surgery, as his condition deteriorated. The surgery was reportedly successful, and he is recovering now.

Although initially it was thought to be a case of accident, the doctors at the hospital who operated upon him on Sunday morning, told family members that injuries are similar to that of assault—raising suspicion about the whole incident.

Guwahati Police have informed mediapersons that a case has already been registered and the authorities are trying to procure CCTV footage to find out what had actually happened.

The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) expressed concern at the suspected assault by miscreants on Mitra, and demanded proper investigation into the case.

JFA president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria said in a statement, "We strongly demand a high-level probe into the incident where Naresh got injured on that night. Moreover, we wish his early recovery and express hope that soon he would be able to explain the situation."

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