Scribe allegedly threatened

From our Correspondent
TINSUKIA, July 26: The Tinsukia staff correspondent of Dainik Jambhumi , Prab Phukan has been allegedly threatened by junior engineer of Sarba Siksha Abhijan (SSA), Utpal Baruah of Panitola who is reportedly also a contractor, for publishing news item related to supply of LPG connections for mid-day meal under SSA Tinsukia district.  Baruah allegedly intimidated Phukan with dire consequences and sent three SMSes warning him to refrain from publishing such news in future. Phukan lodged an FIR on Monday against Baruah at Tinsukia Sadar PS. Tinsukia Press Club, TDJA, AASU and other several organizations, including Sadau Asom Mottok Yuba Sanmillan, have condemned the incident and demanded action against Utpal Baruah. Meanwhile, Tinsukia Press Club in an emergency meeting with Md Hussain Khan in the chair on Tuesday, decided to submit memoranda to Upper Assam Commissioner and DIGP Upper Assam bypassing district incumbents as local authorities had allegedly not taken any action on the grievances of local media in the past. According to a source, Utpal Baruah has gone underground and escaped from police dragnet.