Democracy has four pillars - the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and Media. But unfortunately, the fourth pillar of the institution, that is the media, is being attacked in recent times. Journalists within the country have been a victim of attacks by miscreants for various issues. India currently ranks 14th on the Global Impunity Index list with 18 journalists being murdered from 2008 to 2018.
In Assam, as per records, 32 journalists have lost their lives in the past 30 years which began since 1987 when Purnamal Agarwalla, a correspondent with The Assam Tribune, was killed by suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). In 1991 Kamala Saikia, a correspondent with Ajir Asom, was also murdered by suspected ULFA members and once again in 1996 Parag Kumar Das, the executive editor of Asomiya Pratidin was shot dead by surrendered members of ULFA while he was returning home. Between 1995 and 2010, at least one journalist has been murdered in Assam each year.
Recently, three journalists from the state were attacked within a month which is raising questions about the safety and security of the journalist fraternity in Assam once again.
While returning home from Mukalmua Chowk on his bike, Deka was attacked allegedly by a BJP worker. He received serious injuries on his chest, head and arms. He was rushed to the Mukalmua Community Hospital and later was taken to Gauhati Medical College & Hospital.
Deka, speaking to the media, accused BJP worker Ripul Deka alias Baba and other youth workers who came on a tempo van to attack him when he had stopped near an LP school. The attackers fled the scene after attacking Deka.
Deka also said that he was often threatened on Facebook by BJP workers for a piece of news filed by him in the 25th April issue of Dainik Asom against a section of BJP workers. Ranjan Deka further said that one Jintu Medhi allegedly uploaded a post on social media threatening to kill him.
Deka lodged a complaint with the Mukalmua Police Station against Ripul Deka and Jintu Medhi. On 26th April, the Nalbari District Journalists’ Union staged a protest in front of the Nalbari Natya Mandir and later submitted two memoranda to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police demanding strict actions against the culprits.
In a another incident in Tinsukia district, Upasana Barua Goswami, a journalist with a local television channel was also allegedly attacked by a group of miscreants when she went to a restaurant with her family.
Again in Jorhat, Rajib Bora, a video journalist of a private news channel from Guwahati was attacked by five persons on motorcycles near the Assam Power Distribution Corporation Ltd office at MG Road at around 10:40 pm on 28th April.
Also last month, on March 21, a Guwahati based TV journalist, Chakrapani Parashar, was attacked and stabbed by a restaurant owner in the Ganeshguri area of Guwahati.
After an argument that broke out between Sayed Ali Ahmed, the owner Albar Eats and Parashar, Ali stabbed him with a dagger. Parashar sustained serious injuries in various parts of his body and was rushed to GNRC were he was admitted in the ICU.
The police had detained four people Bhabesh Das, Nitin Sarma, Niraj Ahmed and Sayed Ali Ahmed in connection with the case. The four later on were produced at the Kamrup Metropolitan District Court on March 22. They were sent into judicial custody as per the court’s order.
State journalist forum condemns attack
Various journalist forums across the state and the country have been staging protests and demanding justice against the continuous attacks on journalists.
The National Union of Journalist and Journalists’ Association of Assam (JAA) condemned the gruesome attack on the Dainik Asam journalist and asked the government to introduce the Journalist Protection Act in the state which is a long standing demand of the Journalists’ Association of Assam.
The JAA submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Assam last year in January in regard to bringing the law.
"There is need for a comprehensive act with clear provisions of registering complaints in police stations on intimidation, attack or torture of journalists,” said the JAA and sought immediate enactment of a Journalist Protection Act.
The JAA also demanded that the investigation of the attacks should be carried out by senior police officers equivalent to the SP or ACP to ensure stern punishment against the culprits.
The Dima Hasao Journalists’ Union (DHJU), Haflong also submitted a memorandum to chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal through the deputy commissioner Dima Hasao district Amitabh Rajkhowa, against the growing attacks on journalists in the state.
The Indian Journalists’ Union (IJU) has condemned the recent attacks and has urged the government to ensure safety and security of the journalist in the state.
State government assures but fails to ensure safety
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the attack on the journalist and has directed the Assam DGP Kuladhar Saikia to investigate the case and nab the culprits.
In a statement, the chief minister said that the state government is committed to the safety and security of journalists. He described the attack on the two media persons as highly condemnable and said the state government would take strict action the perpetrators.
In December last year, the Assam government had organised a ceremony where chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal disbursed one-time financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each of the 32 to the families of slain.
However, no concerted law for the protection of journalists have been formulated in the state by the government yet. With the increase in attacks on journalists the state and the central government need to come up with a strong law for the protection of journalists to ensure free voice in the democracy.