Guwahati, Nov 4 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday condemned the arrest of journalist Arnab Goswami by Mumbai Police in connection with an abetment to suicide case in Maharashtra and termed it as a "black day" for Indian democracy.

He also demanded immediate release of the editor-in- chief of a television news channel.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: 20-Year-Old Girl Dies by Suicide After Being Harassed by Stalker in Hoshangabad.

"A Black Day for Indian demoracy. I strongly condemn the assault on senior journalist #ArnabGoswami by Mumbai police," he tweeted.

"Vendetta politics should be stopped and freedom of press should be maintained in Maharashtra by releasing Mr Goswami immediately," Sonowal, also a BJP leader, said.

Also Read | Arnab Goswami Booked For Allegedly Assaulting Woman Police Officer in Mumbai.

Himanta Biswa Sarma, state minister and the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the NDA's regional arm, alleged that Goswami's arrest is "muzzling freedom of press" by the Maharashtra government.

"Strongly condemn this shameless politically motivated Mumbai police action. It's like Emergency days in Maharashtra," he said in a tweet.

Mumbai Police, which picked up Goswami from his house in the morning, said he was arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 53-year-old interior designer and his mother in 2018. The two had killed themselves over alleged non- payment of dues by the news channel.

In May this year, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh announced he has ordered a fresh probe in the case after a complaint by the daughter of the interior designer.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)