Skip to content Skip to navigation

Uncertain fate of two Assamese Journalists in Myanmar

By editor |



To,


Dr Manmohan Singh, Honourable Prime Minister of India
New Delhi


Subject: Uncertain fate of two Assamese Journalists in Myanmar


Respected Sir,


Namaskar. Hope this letter finds you in fine spirits and health. We, on behalf of Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA), would like to inform you that two Assamese journalists remain untraced since their detention in Myanmar (also known as Brahmadesh) on December 3 last. Both the journalists had reportedly gone inside the country for interviewing Paresh Baruah, the self-styled military chief of banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).


The news broke on December 4, 2011, when the news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) reported about their detention somewhere in Myanmar-China border areas. The PTI quoted RK Singh, Union Home Secretary for the information. While Singh denied the detention of Paresh Baruah who is at large after fleeing from Bangladesh, he informed that 'ULFA leader Jivan Moran and an Indian journalist were detained in Myanmar’ (http://www.thehindu.com/news/ national/article2686576.ece). Later it was revealed that two journalists (namely Rajib Bhattacharya who works for a newly launched English daily ‘Seven Sister's Post’ from Guwahati and a photo-journalist Pradip Gogoi) were detained inside Myanmar.


The Chief Editor of the newspaper, Subir Bhaumik, who used to work for BBC as East India Correspondent till last year, said in a television interview that his colleague (Rajib Bhattacharya) went to Myanmar in the middle of October last. “It was his project and he was determined to take the assignment,” Subir Bhaumik said adding that he had no contacts with Rajib Bhattacharya since then.


Rajib’s wife Rashmi Sharma, also a journalist, said in a television bite that she received an SMS weeks ago, where the journalist only said that he was fine and waiting for the interview.


Hiranya Bhattacharya, Rajib’s father and a former DGP of Assam, said in a television bite that he has no information about Rajib going inside Myanmar. “I only knew that Rajib went to Imphal (capital of Manipur) and later he was supposed to move to Aizawl (capital of Mizoram),” Hiranya Bhattacharya said.


The duo (Rajib Bhattacharya and Pradip Gogoi) were reportedly detained in the north-eastern part of Myanmar bordering China and later the Myanmarese authority released both of them after confiscating their laptop, camera and cell phones (http://www.dnaindia.com/ india/report_uncertainty-over- fate-indian-journalists- detained-in-myanmar_1621813). Both the journalists were supposed to arrive in Tamu-Moreh (Myanmar-India border point) by the evening of December 4. Rajib’s wife in Guwahati was contacted by some officials in the Union Home Ministry and assured that Rajib was released by the Myanmarese authority and he will soon enter Indian side (by December 4 itself). But till this moment, both the journalists have not returned to Assam. No information is available with the family about their whereabouts. The Guwahati based journalists contacted the India Embassy in Yangon where the office of the Ambassador denied having any information (about the detention of Indian journalists and subsequent release inside Myanmar).


We have not seen any statement about the incident from the Myanmarese government. Unfortunately the Assam government led by Sri Tarun Gogoi and even the Union Home Ministry have not issued any statement about the incident till date.


We are really worried about the confusing reports regarding the fate of the two journalists, who have neither come back, nor have been traced by any agency.


So we would like to make a formal request to you for taking personal interest in this matter, so that journalists Rajib Bhattacharya and Pradip Gogoi are traced and their return to India is ensured at the earliest. The Myanmarese government may also be approached by the PMO for relevant information about the two journalists.


We would be grateful for your kind initiative.


With regards,


Rupam Baruah, President
Journalists’ Forum Assam,



  • 11659 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Faith in Action

Faith in Action (FIA), a martial arts group from Nagaland, which has entered into the quarterfinals round of “India’s Got Talent Season 3”, received a standing ovation in the quarterfinals, after their brilliant performance. The event was shot at EyeDeam Studio, Mumbai with hosts Cheng and Gautam.The Reality show is being judged by Bollywood superstar Dharemendra, Sonali Bendre and Kiron KherThe show would be telecast on September 3 at 9 p.m. at Colors channel and a repeat telecast on the same channel on September 4 at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Right after the telecast on September 3, the voting lines would be open for the public till 9 a.m. next morning.The show would have two...

Bearing Witness: The Impact of Conflict on Women in Nagaland and Assam

The Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research and the Heinrich Böll Foundation have pleasure in inviting you to a series of events to be held in a number of cities in India through September to October 2011. The events showcase the Research Report, Film and a Photo Exhibition conducted by C-nes and supported by HBF, under the project titled “Reviewing the Impact of Conflict on Women in Assam and Nagaland”, to a wide ranging audience and thereby, aim to generate awareness, understanding and discussion on the issues of concern. The research, filming and photography for the project, ‘Impact of Conflict on Women in Assam and Nagaland’ were conducted by...

Shillong HSA Freshers Meet-cum-Annual Conference 2011

The Hmar students in Shillong (Meghalaya) under the aegis of the Hmar Students’ Association (HSA), Joint Headquarters, Shillong will be holding its 54th Freshers’ Meet-cum-Annual Conference 2011 on 30th August, 2011 at the U So So Tham Auditorium (State Central Library), Shillong, Meghalaya. Prof. Dr. Lal Dena (Dept. of History, Manipur University) will grace the annual conference as the Chief Guest and DNW Momin, Director, Dept. of Agriculture, Govt of Meghalaya will be the Guest of Honour. There will be introduction of freshers, distribution of meritorious awards, musical events from various Hmar artistes and various units under the HSA, Jt. Hqrs., Shillong will give...

Nabin Baran Fest’ at Haflong

To felicitate the new students of Haflong Govt College and the successful candidates of HSLC and HS, the Bengali Students’ Union of Haflong Government College organized ‘Nabin Baran Fest’ on August 27th, 2011 at Cultural Institute Hall with daylong programme. Anup Biswas, Journalist, attended the function as the Chief Guest while Pankaj Kumar Deb, Journalist, as the Guest of Honour. Inaugurating the day’s programme, Sri Biswas while appreciating the organizers for their endeavor appealed to the Bengali students’ community in particular to materialize the theme ‘our culture is our pride’ and to maintain cordial relation with each and every...

Hmar students claimed three positions in NEHU PG exam

Three members of the Hmar Students Association (HSA) in Shillong claimed three positions in the recently announced Post-graduate examination held under North Eastern Hill University (NEHU). The three successful students are Mr. J. Lalhmahruaia (S/o Lalruatthanga, Phuoibuong, Mizoram) who is ranked 5th Position in M.A (Economics), Mr. Simon L Infimate (S/o Lalpansang Infimate, Parbung/ Shillong) ranked 8th Position in M.A (Geography) and Miss Jocica Lalhrietpui Buhril (D/o (L) L.H. Tluonga Buhril, Shillong) who also claimed the 8th Position in M.A (Lib. Info. Science). Results for other subjects of the PG exams is expected to be declared this month. Lalremlien Neitham, Shillong

Support to Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement continue from Karbi Anglong

To intensify the Anna hazare’s anti-corruption movement series of rally has been continuing at Howraghat Karbi Anglong since last weekend. Supporting to Anna Hazare anti-corruption movement different mode of rally like candle lights march and walk rally have been continued at Howraghat town by different social and student organizations. While demanding for the immediate acceptation of the Jan Lokpal Bill, in the parliament, hundreds of Students and teachers come out to the street today. Keeping an aim to bring awareness among the common people on the ongoing massive corruption in the Country, a long rally was taken out today under the aegis of Sankardev Bidya Niketan’s...

Delhi police detains Akhil Gogoi

Delhi police detained KMSS general secretary Akhil Gogoi when he was staging dharna in front of prime minister’s residence on Thursday. According to information, Gogoi along with 50 other supporters were detained in the afternoon when they were shouting anti-government slogans in the front of the 7 Red Course Road in new Delhi. Later, they were taken to the Chanakyapuri police station and were detained for several hours. Notably, Gogoi and his supporters from Assam have been supporting Gandhian activist Anna Hazare who is staging fast at the Ramlila Moidan demanding the fresh introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

AGP backs Anna; rally on Aug 29

The Asom Gana Parishad supports Anna Hazare and his country-wide anti-corruption campaign. The party is will take out a huge rally on August 29 demanding a fresh bill in Parliament instead of the current one. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Thursday, party president Chanadra Mohan Patowary said his party wants the prime minister and chief minister under the ambit of the Lokpal which will help the country escape corruption.

Celebration of Eid ul-Fitr in Mumbai

Assam Association, Mumbai is Organizing ‘An Evening of Get together & Cultural Function on the occasiion Of Eid ul-Fitr on Saturday, September 3. The details as follows: Date: Saturday 3rd September 2011 Time: 7pm to 10pm Venue: Assam Bhavan, Vashi, Navi Mumbai Cultural Function: Music, One Act Play Dinner: Biriyani Deepen Rajkonwar, General Secretary(Mobile: 9892114116)

Don Bosco University launches programmes in social and scientific research

The Assam Don Bosco University launched PhD (Doctoral) Programmes in 24 areas of research in 8 disciplines at a function held at its Azara Campus near Guwahati airport on 23 August 2011. The areas of current socially relevant study include Social Work and North-East India Studies, as well as scientific research in Physics, Chemical Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Forensic Science and Computer Science. While archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, an outstanding peace negotiator in northeast India inaugurated these programmes, Dr Sebastian Karotemprel, an eminent scholar in northeast India and former president of Sacred Heart College Shillong spoke on...