NONGPOH, July 27: As many as five Ri Bhoi-based journalists were allegedly harassed by Assam Police while they were returning from Mynnar Jirang through Deepor Beel in Assam.
The five journalists — Eric Calvin Ranee, Pynshngainlang N Syiem, Banroi Syiem, Albinus Kharbihkhiew and Blesstanroy Lyngdoh — were stopped by Assam Police at Deepor Beel and subsequently taken to Azara Police Station despite stating that they were on press duty and producing their IDs.
While their IDs were allegedly snatched from them, some cops even “abused” the journalists.
After a heated debate, the police accused them of violating COVID-19 protocol and asked them to pay a fine of Rs 2,000.
Moreover, the Assam Police also reportedly attempted to forcefully seize the mobile phones of the journalists when an attempt was made to film the incident.
After they refused to pay the fine, they were held up at the police station for more than two hours.
Following this, officials from Meghalaya raised the matter with the Assam authorities. The journalists were then finally released.
Regardless, the police booked the journalists under Section 179 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act stating that they have violated traffic rules.
The journalists, nonetheless, have resented the ‘harassment’ meted out to them by the Assam Police.
In the wake of this incident, the Meghalaya Editors’ and Publishers’ Association (MEPA) has condemned the ‘harassment’ of the journos.
The five pressmen were returning to Nongpoh after covering the incident at Iongkhuli in Ri Bhoi where Assam Police had uprooted electric poles on Monday, and a function in which Jirang MLA Sostheness Sohtun had released an ambulance.
