Police arrest two Journalists on charge of blackmail and extortion in Bokajan

Bokajan: With the prime motive of blackmail and extortion, Bokajan has witnessed a rise in a number of self-proclaimed Journalist and social organization in the past couple of years. This has of late become a thriving business for some way wards to spin money using fraudulent tactics, strategies and to keep the money rolling.

The Barpathar police detained two youths for allegedly posing as Journalist and allegedly demanding hush money from a hotel owner at Silonijan in East Karbi Anglong on Sunday. A case under section 419/420/384 IPC has been registered against the duo. Police have also seized a Toyota Innova car (AS 09G 1089) in connection to the matter.

As reported, four youths posing as Journalist consumed food and beverages in a roadside hotel in the Silonijan locality and didn't intend to settle the bill amount. On insisting payment, they pulled out a camera and started filming a video of the leftover food and empty bottles threatening to expose the owner by framing news against him for serving liquor in the hotel. They also threatened the owner of calling in the police and initiating legal action against him. The gang also purportedly demanded a monthly share of money for keeping the matter under wraps.

The panic-ridden owner informed locals who confronted the group and thrashed them before handing them to the police. The arrested have been identified as Pabitra Borah and Gopi Paul while Liton Haque and the fourth accomplice, who is yet to be identified, managed to escape.

A series of similar instances have been reported against these self-proclaiming journalist after the incident. Two other hotel owners including a lady had to part with RS 1000 each under similar circumstances to this notorious gang a couple of days back in the same locality. "They threaten to run stories against us. We have no option but to oblige." Said the lady citing anonymity.

This is just the tip of an iceberg. Many incidents like this get shoved under the rug. Youths posing as Journalist and student leaders frequent business establishments in Bokajan and it's suburbs trying to find incriminating evidence and later resort to blackmail and extortion. The issue has escalated to such an extent that even the hotels and eateries along the highway are not spared.

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