GUWAHATI/JORABAT, Nov 5 - The Jorabat unit of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has condemned the arrest of Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV Arnab Goswami. Alleging �blatant trampling� of freedom of the press by the Maharashtra government, the ABVP unit this evening blocked the National Highway-37 at Jorabat for some time and burned the effigy of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The protesters shouted slogans like �Uddhav Thackeray murdabad�, �Tanasahi nahi chalegi�, �Free Arnab�, demanding immediate release of the senior journalist. �Arnab Goswami was arrested without any warrant or summons on Wednesday morning. He was physically assaulted and dragged out of his home and was not even allowed access to his legal team,� said president of the unit Pranjal Rabha. They also accused the Thackeray government of trying to suppress Goswami�s voice and stifling freedom of the press.
It may be recalled that charges of abetment to suicide were levelled against Goswami in 2018. The matter was investigated by Mumbai Police and closed by a court of law after a closure report by the police noted that no case was made out.
Meanwhile, the Electronic Media Forum Assam has strongly condemned the arrest and manhandling of Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV Arnab Goswami. It also condemned the assault on members of Goswami�s family.
In a press release, the forum said it would be wrong to consider Goswami�s arrest as a normal legal outcome. This is sheer infringement of freedom of the press by Mumbai Police, it said. The forum demanded unconditional release of the senior journalist.
The Guwahati city committee of Hindu Juba-Chattra Parishad, Asom today burned the effigy of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Bal Thackeray as a protest against the arrest of senior journalist Arnab Goswami by Mumbai Police.
