Calgary police are investigating the assault of a journalist who says his reporting on extortion, corruption and crime against the South Asian community in Alberta is connected to the violent act.
Rishi Nagar, news director and radio host of RED FM 106.7, a South Asian radio station in Calgary, was assaulted over the weekend in the city’s northeast. During a news conference on Tuesday, he said two men hit him in the head multiple times after expressing disapproval of the station’s recent reporting on the arrest of two other men linked to extortion.
“The attack I endured was not simply an act of physical violence, it was a brazen attempt to intimidate, to silence and to prevent a free press from doing its job. I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I will not be silenced,” said Mr. Nagar, who suffered serious damage to his left eye.
“Journalism is the cornerstone of a free society and, without it, corruption, crime and injustice would go unchecked. To those who orchestrated this attack and to those who believe they can suppress the truth through violence, I must say, you will not succeed. The truth cannot be hidden.”
Police forces across Canada have been investigating incidents of alleged extortion in at least six municipalities, primarily in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, in what has been referred to as a “disturbing trend” that has terrorized the South Asian community.
In February, police in the Toronto region laid two dozen charges against five individuals linked to extortion. The department said it was investigating nearly 30 incidents, including instances where businesses had shots fired into their establishments.
The escalation of threats prompted Mayor Brenda Locke of Surrey, B.C., and Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton, Ont., in January to ask Ottawa for help to protect its South Asian residents. The Edmonton Police Service has alleged that a “criminal network” in India has been behind the extortion attempts.
Calgary police said in a statement Tuesday that officers were dispatched to the Rio Banquet Hall at approximately 3 p.m. on Sunday after reports of an assault. Mr. Nagar was found at the scene and assessed by medical first responders, who determined he did not need to go to hospital.
No suspects are in custody, the force said.
Mr. Nagar said he knew one of the men involved in the attack. He did not name him but said they had spoken before at community and religious events over the past seven years. He did not recognize his accomplice. Both attackers fled after other people came to his rescue.
“When he gave me the first blow, my spectacles went off, and then the second blow came right into my eye and then everything was dizzy. I fell down. I couldn’t remember how many blows he gave me. He just targeted my head and face, blows after blows,” Mr. Nagar said.
He said he is grateful for the outpouring of support he has received since the assault, including from New Democratic Party Leader Naheed Nenshi, Conservative MP Shuv Majumdar and media colleagues. Mr. Nagar said the assault serves as a reminder to protect journalists who face threats simply for doing their job.
“Let this unfortunate incident serve as a reminder of the risks many journalists face daily, especially those who dare to speak out against extortions, organized crimes, corruption and injustice. Let it also be a call to action for greater protection of free press, not just here, but around the world.”
He added: “They can break my eye but they cannot break my resolve.”