Shillong Press Club demands release of arrested editor

Shillong, Sept 12 (UNI) The Shillong Press Club today demanded immediate release of an editor of local English bi-weekly, who was arrested on September six.

Utpal Chandra, who owned and edited ''The Voice of Garo Hills'' was arrested for publishing a letter alleging the West Garo hills district administration and Meghalaya police of running a cattle trafficking racket in connivance with smugglers.

Terming the arrest as ''uncalled for', the Press Club members said the district administration and police could have approached the established forum of the Press Council of India or the court to redress their grievances.

The members also alleged that police handled the editor roughly, handcuffed him, confiscated his mobile phone and computers and ordered the closure of his newspaper.

UNI