Police say one of the defendants was arrested
Guwahati:
Images of a journalist from Assam tied to a power pole and beaten emerged and were widely shared online, leaving the media community in shock.
Videos and images show Milan Mahanta, a journalist from the state’s Karup district who works with the main Assamese daily Pratidin, with his hands tied to the post and being attacked by five men.
The incident reportedly took place in Mirza on Sunday, about 40 km west of Guwahati.
Mr Mahanta, who suffered injuries to his neck, head and ears, filed an FIR (first information report) with the Palash Bari police station, in which he said his attackers were gamblers. .
Milan Mahanta had recently completed a series of reports on gambling in rural Assam before Diwali.
Police have so far arrested one person. Police sources said they are still looking for the others.
Mahanta’s colleagues will launch a demonstration against his assault on Wednesday.
In the videos, as Mr. Mahanta pulls up outside a roadside store, a group of men rush in and surround him. He is then tied up to a nearby post and beaten.
The young men can also be heard claiming that Mr. Mahanta asked them for money. This allegation was denied by his colleagues.
Local media say the attack could be the result of Mr. Mahanta’s reporting on land mafias active in that part of the state; these mafias also operate racquets.
