A 47-year-old journalist, identified as Jayanta Debnath, was beaten up by two constables of the Assam Police Monday after the former questioned them for not wearing helmets while on a two-wheeler. Several local press clubs Tuesday expressed outrage over the incident that took place in Basugaon of Chirang district.
A video of Debnath, a journalist with regional news channel Pratidin Times, being beaten up by the constables has gone viral on social media.
An FIR under Sections 341, 323 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the two constables, Pradip Saha and Lakhi Barman. A departmental inquiry is underway.
Chirang SP Pranab Bora said the constables have been sent to police reserve and an inquiry finding will be submitted within 20 days. “They have also been fined for not wearing helmets as per the provisions of the M V Act,” he said.
Debnath, who has been a journalist for 15 years, said Monday he saw two policemen on a motorcycle without helmets. The journalist was on his scooter and asked them why they were not following the traffic rules.
“The moment I did, they started shouting expletives at me. So, I told them that I am a journalist and it was my right to ask them this,” said Debnath, speaking from the hospital.
