(CPJ/IFEX) – Ajit Bhuyan, editor of the widely read Assamese-language newspaper “Asomiya Protidin” (“Assamese Daily”) and its sister paper, the Assamese-language weekly “Sadin” (“Seven Days”), has been the target of repeated arrests since August 1997. According to news reports, Bhuyan has been linked by state authorities to the banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – Ajit Bhuyan, editor of the widely read
Assamese-language newspaper “Asomiya Protidin” (“Assamese Daily”)
and its sister paper, the Assamese-language weekly “Sadin”
(“Seven Days”), has been the target of repeated arrests since
August 1997. According to news reports, Bhuyan has been linked by
state authorities to the banned United Liberation Front of Assam
(ULFA) and with complicity in the kidnapping and murder of social
activist Sanjay Ghosh, who died while in ULFA custody. Since 25
August, he has been arrested and charged with related crimes four
times. Most recently, on 1 October, he was accused of having ties
to the ULFA and charged under the National Security Act with
“trying to wage war against the country.”
Bhuyan, who is in very poor health, is currently hospitalized in
the Assam Medical College Hospital under judicial custody.
Local journalists note that Bhuyan is respected by his colleagues
and his papers are held up as examples of critical reporting in
the midst of a tense separatist conflict.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
because of his papers’ coverage of the separatist conflict in
northeastern India
tradition of press freedom in India
the arrest of Bhuyan and to ensure that his case does not
represent an attack on the press
guarantee that journalists may practise their profession free
from government intimidation and reprisal
Appeals To
His Excellency Inder Kumar Gujral
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
South Block, New Delhi 110 011
India
Fax: +91 11 3016857President Shankar Dayal Sharma
Office of the President
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi 110 004
India
Fax: +91 11 301 7290Mr Indrajit Gupta
Minister of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
North Block
New Delhi 110 001
India
Fax: +91 11 301 5750
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
