Guwahati: The brother of an Assam journalist, who was recently arrested while reporting on a protest, was taken into custody in Hojai district on Tuesday on charges including land grabbing, forgery, and criminal breach of trust, according to police officials.
Hojai Superintendent of Police Saurabh Gupta confirmed the arrest of Taibur Rahman Mozumder, stating that he was taken to the Hojai police station following a case registered against him.
Mozumder is the brother of senior journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder, who was arrested last week while covering a demonstration against an alleged scam in Assam Cooperative Apex Bank.
The journalist, also serving as the assistant general secretary of the Gauhati Press Club, was taken into custody based on two complaints filed by a bank employee and the institution’s managing director.
However, he has since secured bail in both cases.
His arrest sparked widespread protests across Assam and beyond, with media organisations and rights activists questioning the legitimacy of police action against a journalist on duty.
Commenting on the development, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that the entire family is involved in illegal land dealings.
He claimed that Taibur Rahman Mozumder had previously been arrested in 2021 on similar charges, with a charge sheet filed against him.
Despite this, Sarma pointed out that Mozumder continued working as a government school teacher without suspension, suggesting the extent of his influence.
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The chief minister also reiterated his previous stance on Dilwar Hussain Mozumder, dismissing him as a businessman rather than a journalist.
“Dilwar is engaged in the dumper business and lacks the integrity or credentials of a journalist. If you ask the people of Hojai, they will tell you that the entire family is involved in illegal land brokering,” Sarma said.
