Guwahati: Tensions flared in Guwahati today as journalists across the city staged a massive protest against the arrest of senior journalist Dilwar Hussain Mazumder.

The demonstration, organized by the journalist fraternity, began peacefully inside the premises of the Guwahati Press Club in Ambari but escalated into a confrontation with police as the day progressed.

The protest was sparked by the detention of Mazumder under controversial circumstances.

Journalists gathered at the Press Club to voice their outrage, demanding his immediate release and condemning what they described as an attack on press freedom. The initially calm demonstration took a turn when the group attempted to launch a protest march outside the club.

Police intervened to block the march, leading to a minor scuffle between the journalists and police. Several journalists sustained injuries during the clash, and a heated argument erupted as tempers flared on both sides. Chaotic scenes as the police pushed back the advancing protesters, who accused the police of stifling their right to dissent.

The situation was eventually diffused with the intervention of senior members of the Guwahati Press Club, who persuaded the journalists to retreat to the club premises. Once back inside, the protesters resumed their demonstration, continuing to call for justice for Mazumder and greater protection for the press.

The incident has drawn widespread attention, with the Guwahati Press Club issuing a strong statement condemning the police action and reiterating their demand for Mazumder’s release.

It may be mentioned that on March 25, 2025, Dilwar Hussain Mazumder, a senior journalist associated with the digital news portal was arrested by police in Guwahati, Assam.

The arrest occurred following his coverage of a protest organized by the Assam Jatiya Yuva Shakti outside the headquarters of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank in Panbazar. The protest was in response to alleged financial irregularities and a recruitment scam at the bank. Mazumder had reportedly sought to question the bank’s Managing Director, Dambaru Saikia, regarding these allegations during the event.

No specific reason for his detention was provided at the time, and he was held for over six hours without formal charges being disclosed, raising concerns among the journalistic community. The Guwahati Press Club and other groups condemned the arrest.

Police said that he was arrested under 351(2) UNS R/W Section 3[1](r) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (Amendment 2015). 

It was further informed by police that he was accused of using abusive and derogatory language against the "complainant".

However, his family stated that there were no such interactions as mentioned in the FIR with Mozumdar inside the bank. They claimed that he was harassed for reporting the incident and in the end was framed in a false case.