Quick Glances
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Veteran journalist Manas Pal gets a social media post that threatened to kill him in broad daylight after he posted about a past NLFT-related incident.
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Pal suspects the account named Jyoti Chakma may be fake and says police must protect any citizen, not just a journalist, facing a genuine threat.
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An FIR has been lodged. The Assembly of Journalists (AOJ) condemns the threat and demands arrests and urgent intervention by senior state officials.
Manas Pal, a well known veteran journalist has received a death threat on social media after publishing a post about a past incident involving a militant of the banned National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT). The threat has triggered serious resentment among the State media fraternity and others. Netizens reacted sharply, condemning the threat. The threat post prompted the Assembly of Journalists (AOJ) to demand the arrest of those responsible and urgent intervention by senior officials.
The account, bearing the name Jyoti Chakma, threatened to kill Pal in broad daylight. An FIR has been lodged in connection with the incident. The development has renewed concerns over the safety of journalists reporting on sensitive subjects in Tripura.
Death Threat Follows Post on Past NLFT Incident
Pal’s social media post mentioned that one Haflong Jamatia, an NLFT local area commander was linked to the incident commonly known as the Raisyabari gang rape. The post also referred to Jamatia’s death during a police operation on February 21, 2000, after he reportedly attempted to escape.
Pal has written about banned insurgent organisations and their leaders on social media. He is also known for his work relating to insurgency in Tripura and published a well-recognized book.
Speaking to a local news channel, Pal said the threat appeared on Wednesday (Day 29). However, he suspected that the account used (Jyoti Pal) to issue the threat might be fake.
The journalist also said he could not determine whether the account holder was male or female. The name Jyoti is used by both men and women, he pointed out.
Pal said the message contained a threat suggesting that he should be killed in broad daylight. He explained that the threat came in response to a comment linked to his post.
He suspected that the reference to the NLFT might have angered those behind the threat. However, he maintained that his post recalled a past incident and did not directly target any individual.
State Must Protect Every Citizen: Pal
Commenting on journalists’ safety, Pal described threats and physical attacks as risks associated with the profession. He noted that journalists across the world face such dangers and that many have lost their lives.
He also recalled that two journalists had been killed in Agartala in separate incidents in the past.
Pal said authorities should assess the nature and credibility of a threat before deciding whether a journalist needs special security arrangements. He pointed out that authorities cannot provide special protection simply because someone has issued a threat.
However, he stressed that the state is responsible for protecting citizens.
“Ensuring the safety of citizens is the responsibility of the police and the state,” Pal said.
He maintained that this responsibility extends to everyone, including journalists. The authorities must assess each case and take appropriate measures to protect anyone facing a genuine threat, he added.
AOJ Condemns Threat, Demands Arrests
The Assembly of Journalists has strongly condemned the alleged death threat against Pal and demanded the arrest of those responsible. The organisation has also called for measures to ensure his safety.
The AOJ has urged the state Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to intervene promptly and ensure appropriate police action.
The organisation warned that it might bring the matter to the attention of the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister if the authorities failed to take suitable steps. It also said it would take to the streets, if necessary, to defend journalists’ rights and safety.
The AOJ maintained that journalists have the right to express their views on social media and discuss issues of public interest. It described death threats against journalists for expressing their opinions as unacceptable and a serious concern for the state.
The organisation expressed hope that the police would identify and arrest those responsible and initiate legal proceedings against them.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks journalists face while reporting on sensitive issues. The AOJ has called for prompt action to ensure accountability and protect journalists’ rights and safety.
