A journalist from Cachar district, identified as Shamindra Paul, who works for Assamese satellite channels, was allegedly attacked on Sunday (November 2) in Katigorah by a man named Sailen Baishnab. The attack reportedly took place after Paul filed a news report exposing an alleged coal syndicate operating in the district.
Today, the attacker was arrested by Cachar Police.
According to Paul, his report—aired a few days earlier on Ishan Bangla—mentioned several individuals allegedly linked to the coal smuggling racket. Only their first names were used in the report, one of which was “Sailen.” The mention of this name allegedly provoked Baishnab, leading him to confront and assault the journalist publicly.
Shamindra Paul said, “Three to four days ago, I did a news report about a coal syndicate for Ishan Bangla and mentioned four to five people involved, according to my sources. I didn’t reveal their surnames or other details—just their first names. One was Sailen, and there are many with that name in Cachar.”
Paul added that on Saturday night, he received a call from someone named Sailen Baishnab. Since the caller was known to him, he answered. Baishnab allegedly questioned why his name appeared in the news report. Paul clarified that he hadn’t mentioned any surnames and even advised Sailen not to take it personally. However, Baishnab allegedly persisted and called again, accusing Paul of targeting him.
Later that night, Baishnab allegedly made multiple calls, which Paul ignored. The next day, when Paul went to Katigorah to cover a BJP committee meeting, Baishnab reportedly arrived in a car without a number plate and confronted him again. Despite Paul and another journalist, Imad Uddin Mazumdar, trying to explain, Baishnab allegedly hurled abuses and threatened to kill Paul if he entered Katigorah or Kalain again.
Paul further alleged that Baishnab called another man to join him during the confrontation.
“That person threatened to tie me with a rope and cut me into pieces. People nearby saw it, but no one helped. My driver finally rescued me and informed the police,” Paul recounted.
Following the attack, on Monday (November 3), Paul filed an FIR at Kalain Police Station against Sailen Baishnab and his associate. The police assured him that the accused would be arrested by Tuesday (November 4). Members of the Katigorah Working Journalist Guild accompanied Paul to the police station to support the complaint.
