Scribe abducted, shot at and thrown out of car

Udalguri (Assam), Jun 19: A journalist of a local Assamese daily was abducted, tortured, shot at and dumped by suspected NDFB(S) terrorists for writing against the outfit, police said today.

The incident happened last night when the journalist, identified as Khairabari correspondent of 'Asomiya Pratidin' Prashanta Kumar, was returning to Khairbari on his motorcycle after dropping his friend, a police official said.

He was abducted by a gang in a car, tortured by the abductors who claimed themselves to be NDFB(S) cadre, Bhergaon Sub-Divisional Police Officer Nirupam Hazarika said.

"The suspected NDFB(S) terrorists then shot him on his left arm and threw him out of the car near Tangla area," he said, adding Kumar managed to go to a nearby house asked for help from local people, who called the police.

The journalist was then rushed to a local hospital, which referred him to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and was now said to be out of danger, the SDPO said.

"Kumar was actively writing against the extortion drive by NDFB(S) in the area and highlighting the ongoing anti- terrorist operations in the district," he said, adding the journalist's abductors also ordered him not to write about the outfit.

Hazarika said police was carrying out search operations in and around the area to nab the culprits.

Khairabari Press Club and other journalist bodies in Udalguri have condemned the incident and urged Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to take appropriate action against the culprits so that scribes of rural Assam can report on sensitive issues without fear.

PTI