Assam Minister Allegedly Threatens Reporter, Congress Writes To Poll Body

A journalist in Assam, Nazrul Islam, on Thursday allegedly recorded a conversation of a call -- which he claims was made from Pijush Hazarika's personal assistant's phone -- and telecast the audio clip on an Assamese news channel.

The Congress party in Assam has moved the Election Commission, seeking cancellation of candidature of state minister Pijush Hazarika for allegedly threatening a journalist over a phone call. A journalist in Assam, Nazrul Islam, on Thursday allegedly recorded a conversation of a call -- which he claims was made from Pijush Hazarika's personal assistant's phone -- and telecast the audio clip on an Assamese news channel. In the conversation, Mr Hazarika allegedly hurled abuses and threatened the journalist of dire consequences for a story broadcast on the same local channel previously. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika contested in the second phase of Assam elections from Jagiroad constituency last week. "The contents of the conversation by Hazarika clearly violated the Model Code of Conduct, and laws such as the Representation of People Act, 1951. Under such circumstances, I pray before your honour to take prompt and necessary action against Pijush Hazarika to disqualify his candidature from the present General Assembly Election and issue directions for filing FIR/complaint against him," Assam Congress president Ripun Bora wrote in the letter sent to the election body on Thursday.