Shillong, Mar 28: The Shillong Press Club has strongly condemned the arrest and subsequent re-arrest of a senior journalist, Dilwar Hussain Mozumder, by Assam police allegedly on fictitious charges.
The arrest of Hussain, also assistant general secretary of Guwahati Press Club, already sparked widespread protests by media fraternity across India, terming the action as an attack on press freedom.
“The act of re-arresting him immediately after he was granted bail is not only deeply troubling but also a shocking abuse of legal process. 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,” SPC president DL Siangshai said in a statement.
Stating that media plays an essential role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and free flow of information, Siangshai said, “Attempts to suppress this role through coercion and intimidation are unacceptable and must be firmly resisted.”
“We call upon the authorities to uphold the rule of law, respect the independence of the press, and protect the rights and dignity of media professionals. Such disturbing tactics must cease if we are to preserve the democratic values enshrined in our Constitution,” he concluded.
