Journalists holding placards and banners today protested against the alleged assault, attempt to murder and outrage the modesty of a woman reporter of a Guwahati-based television news channel in a police station here where she had gone on duty.
Covering their mouth with black cloth, the scribes demonstrated in front of the Assam Secretariat demanding arrest of the 'guilty officials' and their dismissal from the service as well as assurance from the state government that the voice of the media, guaranteed by the Constitution, is not muzzled.
Why the police officials were not arrested when common people are taken into custody for attacking women, Executive Editor of DY365 channel Pranay Bordoloi said.
Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal after meeting the protesting media persons today said, "When women journalists are attacked during their line of duty by the upholders of law, then women in general cannot be safe in the state."
"There is lawlessmess all over the state under the Tarun Gogoi-led Government in Assam. The attack on media shows that people in the state are not safe. The government has failed to ensure safety and security to not only the citizens but also to journalists during their duty," alleged the MP from Assam.
Many social organisations and others joined the protesting scribes describing the 'assault' as an attack on democracy and demanded justice for the woman journalist and camera person.
The protesting scribes were not allowed to enter the Secretariat which was turned into a fortress with heavy police bandobast.
A press conference by a minister scheduled inside the Secretariat this afternoon was 'postponed' as informed by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations via e-mail.
The protesting media persons were arrested and taken away before they were released later on bail.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has ordered an inquiry by Additional Chief Secretary Rajib Bora into the alleged misbehaviour by police with the woman journalist.
