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Journalism of Courage
The prime witness in the recent serial blasts in Assam, who provided a vital description of two suspects for sketches made by the special probe team, is a haunted man today. Not only because of what he saw on October 30 but because the Assam Government has publicly announced his name as a witness, but has not provided him with any security.
The Express team on Monday tracked down fifty-five-year-old Pradip Konwar, a public prosecutor who saw two suspects near the car which exploded at the parking lot of CJM court. “We are all very scared. They did not provide me with protection. Instead, at a press conference they announced my name. What if the militants try and shoot me or my wife or my children?” a visibly shaken Konwar told The Indian Express.
Recounting that fateful day, Konwar stated that he entered the CJM csurt premises at around 10.30 am as usual. “I parked my car in the parking lot and got out. On the opposite side, I saw two men standing near a Maruti. As I looked at them they stared back at me. I felt there was something strangely suspicious, but ignored it,” said Konwar. Thinking nothing further of it, Konwar went into the courtroom of the additional CJM in connection with some case. At around 11.15 am he heard a loud noise outside and rushed out.
Konwar then witnessed the rows of burning cars and charred and injured persons crying out for help. He called up the police and lent a hand in the rescue work. “I was busy in the rescue work and only after an hour I remembered those two persons. I do not know whether they are the culprits but it was strange for them to stand like that on a busy workday,” added Konwar. According to Konwar one man was around 40 years old and was wearing kurta pyjama, while his companion seemed to be in his early 20s and was wearing a dark shirt and trousers. “The young man had a dark complexion and the older one had a beard,” said Konwar.
Later, the police took his statement and he was summoned to the CID office a number of times. “I was called to the CID office and senior officers including the ADG spoke to me for long hours. I gave them the details of the two men. An artist drew sketches based on my details,” added Konwar.
However, his trauma truly started after the IPG (Law and Order) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta held a press conference on November 1 and announced his name as the only eyewitness to have seen suspects and stated that sketches were being drawn. Konwar stays at Beltolla in Guwahati along with his wife Aparna who is a teacher in Rangiya College, and two children — daughter Sukanya is a higher secondary student at Srimanta Shankar Academy and son Supratim is a class IX student in Don Bosco school. The entire family is now living in fear. “I do not know why the IGP announced my name in the press conference. He even revealed that I am an advocate here. My wife has to go to teach and the children have to go out of the house for school. We all feel very insecure. What if something happens to them if I am right about the suspects?” added Konwar.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in a press conference announced that the sketches of the two suspects will be released shortly. “I have spoken to Konwar personally and sketches of suspects made with his description. This is all I can say right now,” said Subhas Goswami, ADG CID. “Sketches are being prepared on the basis of several eyewitnesses and will be released in due time,” said Hemanta Biswa Sharma, state Health Minister and Assam Government spokesperson.
