India: Unions raise concerns over journalist attacks in Assam and Maharashtra

At least four journalists were targeted in three separate attacks in India over the past month, raising concerns among the media unions as to the ongoing precarious security situation confronting media workers in the country. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliates, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and the National Union of Journalists India (NUJ-I), jointly call on the Indian authorities to do more to ensure journalists can work without fear of violence and intimidation.

Sneha Barwe was assaulted and left unconscious while reporting on illegal construction activities in Maharashtra state on July 4, 2025. Credit: Screengrab / SBP (Samarth Bharat Pariwar) / YouTube

Attacks were recorded in the states of Assam and Maharashtra as journalists endeavoured to report on a local council election and incidents involving alleged illegal construction and mining operations. The unions reiterated that such repeated attacks on journalists were a reminder of the state's failure to ensure the safety and security of media personnel in India.

Among the attacks, female journalist Sneha Barwe was violently assaulted with a wooden rod and left unconscious while reporting on illegal construction activities in Nigothwadi village near Pune in Maharashtra state on July 4. The 29-year-old founder-editor of Samarth Bharat newspaper and the SBP YouTube channel was assaulted by a local businessman linked to the illegal construction activities, Pandurang Sakharam Morde. Barwe sustained serious head and spinal injuries in the attack and was hospitalised, while her camera person, Ajaz Sheikh, and several bystanders were also injured. Morde is yet to be arrested.

Prag News journalist Madhurjya Saikia was assaultedwhile documenting a clash between BJP members and other local politicians, also on July 4. Saikia was covering a local council electionin Dimow Pathar, a village in Assam's Dhemaji district, when a horde of at least 20 attackers reportedly struckhim from behind, beat him on his back, and stole his phone. He subsequently filed a complaint with Silapathar police, alleging local student union leaders from Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) orchestrated the assault, yet the group's president deniedinvolvement. The Chief Minister of the Assam Congress, Himanta Biswa Sarma, responded to the attack by blaming it on divisions among journalists instead of condemning the assailants.

Another attack in Assam on June 29 saw two reporters for local television outlet ND24, Bimaljyoti Nath and Bipul Phoyel, assaulted in Dhekiajuli while they endeavoured to cover alleged illegal mining activities. One suspect, Dilip Nath, allegedly involved with the mining operations, was arrestedon July 7 near the Assam-West Bengal border by local police.

The IFJ's South Asia Press Freedom Report 2024-25 recorded a total of 13 targeted attacks against journalists in India in the period May 2024 to April 2025, as well as the killing of five journalists. The IFJ continues to call for all states, including India, to adopt the IFJ-led International Convention on the Safety and Independence of Journalists and Other Media Professionalsaimed at providing greater protection for media workers and journalism in the face of escalating violence and threats.

The IJU said: "It is the government's responsibility to protect journalists, who play a critical role in upholding transparency and accountability. The IJU urges the state to implement robust measures to safeguard journalists, including the introduction of a comprehensive law to protect media personnel working in challenging environments."

The NUJ-I said: "We demand a proper investigation into the matter and punishment for those responsible for these heinous acts."

The IFJ said, "Indian authorities must heed the calls of unions and introduce stronger safeguards for journalists. Delays in delivering justice will only embolden those who undermine press freedom."