Agartala, 4th August 2026 : A youth was handed over to police by local residents in Tamsabari area under Sonamura police station for allegedly entering a bakery factory by identifying himself as a journalist and attempting to blackmail the owner.
The detained youth has been identified as Mofiz Mia, a resident of Rangamatiya area.
According to local sources, Mofiz allegedly entered a bakery factory in Tamsabari in the absence of the owner and introduced himself as a journalist. He reportedly recorded different parts of the factory on his mobile phone and questioned employees about cleanliness and hygiene standards. He also allegedly asked the staff to inform the owner to meet him.
Later, when the bakery owner contacted him over the phone, he was asked to come to the factory premises. Meanwhile, local residents gathered at the spot after learning about the incident and sought to verify his journalist identity and credentials.
The residents alleged that the youth failed to produce any valid press identity card or provide details of any recognised media organisation. He also could not give a satisfactory explanation regarding his entry into the factory without permission.
Following this, locals detained him and informed Sonamura police. Police reached the spot and took him into custody. Police sources said that no valid media identity card was recovered from him, and an investigation into the matter has been initiated.
The bakery owner claimed that all necessary hygiene and safety standards are maintained at the factory and that no complaints regarding food quality have ever been received from any concerned department. He alleged that the incident was an attempt to intimidate and extort money from him.
A local resident said that such incidents damage the reputation of genuine journalists and demanded strict legal action against those who misuse the identity of journalists for fraudulent activities or blackmail.
