ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jun 30:  Day after a journalist was assaulted by unknown miscreants while reporting about the pollution caused by a smelting plant, Capital police today arrested one of the accused from Naharlagun.
Speaking to reporters, Superintendent of Police, Capital Region, Tumme Amo informed that on June 29 at 1800 hrs, FIR was received from one Hofe Dada, 29 years, reporter of  Gyoloo News stating that  at around 1 pm some unknown person of SMS Smelter Ltd, Lekhi, assaulted  and threatened him  while he was doing a Live news coverage. 
On receipt of the  FIR , Nirjuli Police registered a case no.25/2020 u/s 341/325/506 IPC  and during the investigation,  Officer In-charge  Nirjuli Police Station, M Geyi and team  arrested an accused identified as  Nangram Tapu, 34, working as a security cum vigilance officer in the said factory.
“He will be produced before Court for further action. However, Police is doing  its investigation  to rule out the reason for such criminal acts.  It's upon the Court to grant bail or not," added SP while urging  the people to be more vigilant while  lodging FIR against any incident to frame strong cases against culprits.
 When asked about any counter FIR from the authority of the factory, OC Police Station  Nirjuli, M Geyi informed that report has been received that PRO of the factory has lodged an FIR on trespassing. However, police will verify the report, he added.
The incident has also evoked condemnation from all walks of life. 
Condemning the incident, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU)  stated, Despite facing serious hardships and lack of additional benefits, people associated with Press and Media have been diligently doing their job. Over the years, Press and Media people have been repeatedly abused, trolled and attacked while on duty. We demand the State Government and the Police in particular to initiate stringent measures so that adequate deterrents are put in place against such attacks in future.
Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS)  also expressed its  concerned and stated media should be allowed to do its work without any threat or intimidation from any corner. 
We urge the police to arrest all the culprits involved and to file a credible case so that such assaults are not repeated. There have been many instances of assault on media in the state but none of the perpetrators of violence have been arrested. We request the authority to expedite all the necessary steps to give justice to media people.Fast track of such cases is only way to prevent goons from taking law into their hands, APWWS said.

Regarding the emission  of toxic  gas from  the SMS Smelters Ltd, the Arunachal Pradesh Pollution  Control Board should take up the issue  seriously to prevent  further public health hazard in  the surrounding area, it added.
The All Nyishi Youth Association while condemning the incident appealed the capital police to investigate the matter thoroughly and award exemplary punishment to accused if found guilty in the assault case.
‘He was on duty with his proper gadgets and identity and  was assaulted for passionate journalism not pseudo journalism.This wasn't the way he was suppose to be treated which should not be tolerated. Respect honesty and true journalism, stated  NGO -Dream for United Arunachal.
Meanwhile,  Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalist (APUWJ), president Amar Sangno in a press statement has urged the state police to take stringent action against the culprits for assaulting journalists. 
Drawing the state police attention, Sangno expressed concerned over the repeated reference to the Tongam Rina shooting incident by criminals and stated that such references by criminals against journalists reflect on how criminals undermine the law. 
“Tongam Rina did not get justice from shooting incident which has emboldened the perpetrators to target media persons”.
Sangno further expressed gratitude on behalf of the state press fraternity to the police for apprehending the main accused promptly.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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