Assam: Bajali journalists protest after ex IAS officer allegedly issues threat

Pathsala: The Bajali Press Guild on Sunday staged a strong protest by wearing black badges and carrying banners condemning former Assam IAS officer Hitesh Dev Sarma for allegedly threatening senior journalist Rana Deka over his coverage of recent public demonstrations.

The protest, held near Hari Mandir at Pathsala in Assam's Bajali, saw participation from journalists representing various media organisations.

They demanded strict legal action and better safety measures for media persons.

During the demonstration, members of the Press Guild raised slogans against attempts to intimidate journalists and stated that any threat to a reporter is equivalent to a threat to press freedom.

They emphasised that journalists must be allowed to work freely without fear of harassment or retaliation, especially when reporting on matters of public interest.

They also blocked the road, demanding immediate action against the former officer.

Expressing solidarity with journalist Rana Deka, the guild members said the alleged threat issued after his coverage of a recent demonstration was deeply concerning. They described the act as “undemocratic” and “unacceptable” in a society that values transparency and accountability.

Journalist Sasanka Talukdar said, “We respect IAS officers, but Hitesh Dev Sarma’s words were not appropriate. He should choose his words carefully. Threatening a journalist and an 8-year-old child is completely unacceptable.”

Journalist Rana Deka said, “As per the direction of the office, I covered the news.”

Deka said their reportage, which he had covered the protest along with three colleagues, showed some police personnel, including Baksa Addl SP Geetartha Dev Sarma, the son of Hitesh Dev Sarma, taking aggressive action against protesters.

Local media groups have supported the Bajali Press Guild and emphasised that authorities must urgently address the rising incidents of intimidation against journalists to safeguard press freedom in the region.

The alleged intimidation occurred after NKTV aired a report involving Sarma’s son, APS officer Geetarth Dev Sarma, who faces accusations of assaulting a fan of late singer Zubeen Garg in Mushalpur, Baksa.

Reports state that NKTV broadcast the news at a time when the transfer of the accused in the Zubeen Garg death case, including Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma, from Guwahati to Baksa District Jail had triggered unrest outside the jail premises.

Following the alleged threats, Deka filed an FIR at Pathsala Police Station. Police have begun an inquiry into the complaint.

According to the FIR, the journalist, associated with the Guwahati-based news channel NKTV, stated that Sarma called him on Thursday to express his disagreement with a news report related to the October 15 violence outside Baksa District Jail when the police were shifting five persons arrested in connection with singer Zubeen Garg’s death, following a court order.