The National Alliance of Journalists (NAJ) expresses its shock and anger at the brutal lathicharge of Assam journalists, including women journalists, while covering student protests at the Mizoram-Assam border on March 10. The journalists have provided photographic and video evidence of the serious injuries they suffered.
The Mizoram Journalists Association has said that the police deliberately targeted Mizo journalists even after they showed them their press cards. Among the injured were Zohmingmawia, joint editor of Aizawl Post, who is also the Asst. Secretary of the MJA and R Lalnunmawia, joint editor of Duhlai newspaper from Kolasib district. Emmy C. Lawbei, a woman reporter for News18, was badly thrashed and had deep bruises on her arm, shoulder and back. The journalists had to be taken to the district hospital for treatment of their wounds. Many students were also injured in the border dispute.
The National Alliance of Journalists demands that the government of Assam apologise to the journalists who were attacked by the police while discharging their professional duties. We also demand that the policemen responsible for the violence be given exemplary punishment so that in future the police do not obstruct journalists who are doing their jobs.
