Kolkata: A Republic TV journalist was arrested by West Bengal police in Sandeshkhali on Monday evening.
The channel said in a statement that police unlawfully detained Republic Bangla Santu Pan reporter for uncovering “truth” in the Sandeshkhali case.
A village in North 24 Parganas district, Sandeshkhali has been in national news following allegations by several women against absconding Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and other local party workers of rape and sexual assault as well as land-grabbing.
According to the channel, Pan was on the ground in Sandeshkhali, reporting on ‘atrocities’ against village women.
“My reporter was not allowed to take public transport, was made to stand for three to four hours in one place, after which he was physically dragged without being served any notice. Even a murderer is given a chance to prove his innocence,” said Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami.
Bengal BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar condemned the arrest of Pan.
“Today, the WB Police arrested @BanglaRepublic Reporter Santu Pan from Sandeshkhali for reporting on the atrocities being faced by the locals. This is a massive, inhuman and direct attack on the fourth pillar of Democracy,” Majumdar wrote on X.
