By TC News Desk
Agartala, 9th September 2024: In a shocking incident on Sunday night, a group of journalists was violently attacked by a gang of miscreants while reporting in Agartala city. The assailants, who fled the scene immediately after the attack, caused minor injuries to the journalists involved.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from media organizations. In response, a delegation from various media bodies visited the police headquarters to address the situation. The Additional Director General of Police assured the delegation that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure the safety and security of journalists in the state.
According to reports, a team of six journalists was traveling to Chandrapur Inter State Bus Terminus around 1 a.m. when a vehicle abruptly blocked their path. The occupants of the vehicle then emerged and began assaulting the journalists.
The journalists—Prasenjit Bhattacharjee, Bijoy Singha Roy, Pranab Shil, and Mihir Sarkar—filed a First Information Report (FIR) detailing the attack. They identified some of the attackers as Sukanta Debnath (alias Nishan), Akash Banik, and Sourav Bhattacharya, but could not recognize the rest. The attackers were in a vehicle with the registration number TR0IB 40753.
The FIR reports that during the assault, the miscreants not only injured the journalists but also stole cash, gold ornaments, and damaged two mobile phones and a camera. The journalists expressed concerns about further threats and potential future attacks, urging immediate action from the authorities.
Shanit Debroy, General Secretary of the Assembly of Journalists (AOJ), condemned the attack, emphasizing that the journalists were on duty and merely verifying information. He praised the police for detaining the vehicle’s driver and seizing the car but stressed the need for stringent action against the perpetrators.
Pranab Sarkar, President of the Tripura Journalist Union, warned of a possible statewide protest if the authorities fail to take decisive action. He highlighted the ongoing threats to media professionals in the state, citing past incidents of violence against journalists and media offices.
Jayanta Bhattacharjee, President of the Agartala Press Club, also joined the delegation, voicing support for the call to action and the need for enhanced protection for journalists.
