Assam: Akhil Gogoi leads protest in Jagun for Dilwar Hussain’s release

A protest erupted in Jagun, Margherita constituency, demanding the release of journalist Dilwar Hussain Mazumdar. 

The protest, led by Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi, witnessed a large gathering of people who condemned Mazumdar’s arrest and called for his immediate release.

Meanwhile, the police have sought a seven-day custody of Mazumdar for further interrogation. Earlier in the day, Panbazar police produced him before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court of Kamrup (Metro). 

In response, Mazumdar has filed a bail application in connection with the case registered at Panbazar Police Station. The court has already conducted a hearing on his bail plea, and a decision is awaited.

In reaction to the arrest, the Guwahati Press Club convened an emergency executive meeting. The club decided that all journalists would wear black badges during duty until March 30 as a mark of protest. 

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Furthermore, a journalist meeting has been scheduled for March 30 at 11:30 AM at the Guwahati Press Club premises.

Meanhwile, the Press Club of India (PCI) expresses shock at the re-arrest of senior digital media journalist Dilawar Hussain Mozumder by Assam Police on March 27 evening. Immediately after Mozumder was released on bail, the State Police took him into custody in a case of stealing important documents from the bank where he had gone to cover a protest held against an alleged recruitment scam. 

Additionally, the PCI condemns an attempt by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to define who is a ‘legitimate’ journalist. 

The PCI expresses concern that an attempt was made to shift the attention from the core issue — that of preventing a journalist from carrying out his official duty which is a grave infringement of the freedom of press guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (A) of the Constitution.