Journalists across Assam staged protests on Thursday against the alleged use of tear gas by police during a Congress rally in Guwahati, raising concerns over media safety and accountability.
The incident occurred on Wednesday as scribes were reporting on the rally, with several journalists falling unwell after tear gas canisters were reportedly rolled under their feet while they were recording comments from state Congress president Bhupen Borah.
In Guwahati, over 100 journalists, including reporters, photographers, and videographers from various organisations, gathered at the Gauhati Press Club (GPC) to voice their grievances.
Wearing black badges, they raised slogans demanding safety for media persons and condemned what they called a “recurring pattern” of journalists being injured while covering events.
A statement by GPC members expressed alarm at the repeated endangerment of journalists during public gatherings and urged authorities to ensure the safety of media personnel on duty.
Similar protests were held in other parts of the state, including Silchar, Jorhat, Dhubri, Rangia, and Nalbari.
Congress worker dies protesting
The rally also took a tragic turn when Mridul Islam, a 45-year-old Congress worker, died after participating in a march to Raj Bhavan in Guwahati. Islam, a lawyer and a member of the Congress Legal Cell, collapsed and was rushed to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, where he was declared dead.
The Assam Congress blamed the death on alleged excessive force used by police, including the deployment of tear gas.
A formal complaint has been lodged against the police, demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Islam’s death.
“Such excessive use of force against peaceful protesters is unacceptable,” said a Congress spokesperson, calling for accountability from the authorities.
Meanwhile, police have not issued a formal response to the allegations.
The Assam Congress has announced plans for statewide protests, demanding justice for Islam and greater safety measures for journalists and participants during political demonstrations.
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