Wed Mar 26 17:33:23 UTC 2025: **Assam Police Arrest of Journalist Sparks Outcry**
GUWAHATI, ASSAM – The arrest of Dilawar Hussain Mozumder, chief reporter of The CrossCurrent, by Assam police has triggered widespread condemnation from media bodies. Mozumder, who was covering a protest against alleged corruption at the Assam Co-Operative Apex Bank, was detained on March 25th and formally arrested after midnight on March 26th.
The Editors Guild of India (EGI) and the Press Club of India (PCI) have issued strongly worded statements denouncing the arrest as an attack on press freedom. The EGI highlighted the concerning trend of perceived press suppression across India, calling for clarification from the Assam government. The PCI detailed Mozumder’s detention, stating he was initially summoned after interviewing the bank’s managing director. They further allege that his lawyer was denied access, his wife was prevented from delivering food and medication, and that he was only briefly allowed to see his wife after midnight.
The Assam police reportedly charged Mozumder under the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly hurting the sentiments of a Bodo community member. The PCI criticized the use of this act, suggesting the charges might be fabricated to retaliate against a journalist from a minority community covering a sensitive corruption story. The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, is a director of the bank at the center of the alleged scam. The PCI urged the state government to ensure the police respect the true intent of the SC/ST Act and to avoid falsely charging journalists. The incident continues to raise serious concerns about press freedom in the region.
First Piper 