Attacks on journalists will not be tolerated under any circumstances, said Chief Minister of Tripura Dr Manik Saha on Tuesday in relation to attack on a group of six journalists in Agartala on Sunday.
Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said, attacks on journalists will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Regardless of the party to which the accused belong, they will not be spared. Clear instructions have been given in this regard.
He also said, “You have seen it before, and you are still seeing it. The culture that began in the state during the 35-year rule of the previous government has become a habit for many. Therefore, the current government is trying to maintain a peaceful environment everywhere in the state.”
Notably, the journalists were attacked by a group of miscreants in the Mathchowmuni area of the capital late Sunday night, leaving four injured. Following a protest by the media community, demanding swift justice, police have arrested three suspects on Monday.
Victims revealed that two individuals suddenly exited a car and physically assaulted Prasenjit Bhattacharjee, a journalist on duty. When five other journalists attempted to intervene, they too were attacked by the miscreants. The attackers were reportedly accompanied by a car and six or seven motorbikes.
Upon receiving the information, the officer-in-charge of East Police Station, Rana Chatterjee, sent a police team to the scene. The journalists managed to detain one of the attackers, who were then taken to the police station.
On Monday, following the complaint from the injured journalists, Police arrested three suspects including Sukanta Debnath, alias Nishan, Sourav Bhattacharjee, and Akash Banik.
In response to this assault, the state’s media community, including editors and journalists from both print and electronic media, submitted a deputation at the police headquarters on Monday afternoon.
They demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits and warned of statewide protests if swift action is not taken.
Leading journalists Sanit Deb Roy, Pranab Sarkar and Agartala press club secretary Ramakanta Dey and others have vowed to pursue the matter further if justice is not served.
