Molestation incident: Key accused in Orissa; Gogoi flays media

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Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said the key accused in the molestation of a girl here was traced to Bhubaneswar.

"Tracking of his (Amarjyoti Kalita) mobile phone has pointed to his presence in Bhubaneswar. Assam Police is in touch with its Odisha counterparts and we hope to trace him soon," he told reporters outside the Assembly.

Police have announced Rs one lakh cash award for information on the whereabouts of Kalita.

Gogoi also said the role of a news channel journalist, accused by RTI activist Akhil Gogoi of instigating the assault outside a city pub, was unethical.

"This was a case of unethical journalism. It is all right to film the incident as a part of professional duty but as a part of social responsibility the journalist should have informed the police," he said.

"The media blames the government and particularly the police on all counts but journalists too have a responsible role in the society and in this particular case they have failed miserably," Gogoi said.

The journalist, Gaurav Jyoti Neog, had on Sunday resigned from the news channel and also the Electronic Media Forum Assam.

Admitting that there were lapses on part of the police, Gogoi said, "I am confident that all the culprits will be brought to book soon." Earlier in the day, members of opposition AIUDF, AGP and BJP walked out of the assembly after the Speaker disallowed an adjournment motion on the molestation issue.

A total seven people have been arrested so far in the incident, which took place on July 9 in the city's busy Christian basti area on GS Road.