Press associations in Assam on Saturday alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state was carrying out “systematic attacks” on the media, creating an atmosphere that threatens the freedom of journalists.

The statements came a day after unidentified persons attacked the Lakhimpur office of Assamese newspaper Asomiya Pratidin on Friday. The attack took place less than 24 hours after polling for the Assembly elections concluded.

In a statement, the newspaper said that no staff members were injured in the attack, but described the incident as a “direct assault on the freedom of the press and democratic values”.

A first information report has been registered in connection with the incident, North East Now reported.

The Gauhati Press Club held a protest meeting on Saturday. The club quoted Nitumoni Saikia, editor of news channel Pratidin Time, as having said during the meeting that while the media “was targeted” during the tenures of Chief Ministers Hiteswar Saikia and Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, “the situation wasn’t like it is now”.

“It is only the current chief minister who asks the names of media house owners, religion, etc,” Nitumoni Saikia was quoted as having said.

Pankaj Nath, the president of the All Assam Journalists’ Association, was quoted as having urged journalists to unite and raise their voices against attacks on the press.

The Pratidin Media network, which runs the Asomiya Pratidin and Pratidin Time, on Friday expressed concern stating that the attack on the newspaper’s office came against the backdrop of remarks by the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma about media organisations.

The network said that while speaking to the press on the night before the attack, the BJP leader had “questioned the credibility and functioning of media houses such as Pratidin Media, suggesting bias and alleging that coverage is influenced by financial considerations”.

“Statements indicating that if the present government returns to power, media figures such as Jayanta Baruah [editor of the Asomiya Pratidin and chairperson of the Pratidin Media Network] will be ‘politically and intellectually destroyed’ are deeply concerning,” it added.

The statement also noted the chief minister’s criticism of national and international media organisations, such as The Lallantop and the BBC.

“Repeated confrontations and critical remarks directed at media organisations can create an environment where the press feels pressured and vulnerable,” the network said.

It urged the chief minister to uphold constitutional values of free speech and a free press and to ensure that the “public discourse remains responsible and does not inadvertently encourage hostility towards media organisations”.

The media network also called upon the Assam government to guarantee the safety and security of journalists and media establishments in the state.

“A strong democracy depends on a free and independent press,” it said. “Any attempt, direct or indirect, to intimidate or silence the media, we believe, is a matter of grave concern.”