GUWAHATI: The Shillong Press Club (SPC) on Friday, March 28, condemned the arrest and subsequent re-arrest of Guwahati Press Club’s Assistant General Secretary, Dilwar Hussain Mozumder, by Assam police. The SPC termed the actions a direct attack on press freedom and called for Mozumder’s immediate and unconditional release.
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“The act of re-arresting him immediately after he was granted bail is not only deeply troubling but also a shocking abuse of the legal process,” SPC president DL Siangshai said in a statement. “This sequence of actions represents a direct attack on press freedom and the fundamental right to free expression. We stand in unwavering solidarity with Mr. Mozumder and demand his immediate and unconditional release.”
Siangshai further called upon the authorities to uphold the rule of law and respect the independence of the press, stating that it was necessary to protect the rights and dignity of media professionals.
Mozumder was initially arrested for questioning the managing director of a cooperative bank over alleged financial irregularities. He was granted bail but was re-arrested late night on Thursday, March 27, as soon as he stepped out of jail. The second arrest was made in connection with a case (No. 111/25) registered at Panbazar Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 329, 324(4), 351(2), 309(4), and 115.
According to the FIR filed by Assam Co-operative Apex Bank Managing Director D Saikia, Mozumder allegedly entered the bank’s head office in Panbazar on March 25 at around 12:30 PM and attempted to steal confidential documents. The journalist was reportedly covering a protest demonstration against alleged corruption in the bank at the time.
Panbazar police, in their report, stated that Mozumder was arrested for trespassing and attempted theft at the bank. He was named in the FIR and identified by witnesses. Authorities claim he gained unauthorised access to restricted areas and threatened employees, causing panic.
Mozumder’s counsel, Advocate A. Sabur Tapadar, however, criticised the arrest, calling it an example of police high-handedness. "This arbitrary and illegal detention shows Assam is turning into a police state. We will challenge this injustice in court," he had earlier said to GPlus.
