Tripura Journalists’ protest rally turns political – erupts controversy

Agartala, Sep 23: Fresh controversy erupted over the protest of journalist last evening organised by Agartala Press Club against the brutal murder of 28 –yrs television journalist Shantanu Bhowmik on September 20 last during violence of CPI(M) and tribal based opposition Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) in Mandwai of West Tripura, about 25 km from here. The opposition political parties including IPFT questioned the design and nature of protest organised held yesterday, which embarrassed the media fraternity of Tripura. The BJP and IPFT directly alleged that the protest rally of journalists manifested to a political rally of CPI(M) against IPFT. “We are shocked after seeing the front banner of the rally, which directly mentioned “protest against uncivilised and inhuman attack of IPFT on Shantanu Bhowmik – Agartala Press Club”. In front of the rally hardly there was any journalist; it was led by CPI(M) MPs, their state secretary, MLAs and other leaders. We want clarification from Press Club authority how could they ascertain that Shantanu was killed by IPFT,” alleged IPFT General Secretary Mebar Kumar Jamatia. He further stated neither police nor any government investigation agency yet to find out the involvement of IPFT into Shantanu’s murder. But CPI(M) since beginning deliberately branding IPFT for the heinous crime and finally Agartala Press Club join publicly with CPI(M) without any basis, which is condemnable and unexpected from the journalists. “We shall move appropriate forum against such evil design of the ruling party and a section of media. The political parties might have their own strategy but we want to know why journalists are falling prey into their trap,” Mr Jamatia stated. On the other, BJP vice president Subal Bhowmik protested the banner and announcement of Agartala Press Club during the silent march demanding exemplary punishment of the criminals involved in murder of Shantanu and assurance of security of the working journalists. “The rally was opened for all and BJP MLA and several leaders were attended the protest rally but except CPI(M) leaders none was in the front. The leading banner was designed in most objectionable manner and the entire rally was turned into a political rally. The main spirit of the protest was diluted and it was a deliberate move to create controversy,” Mr Bhowmik stated. He criticised the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and his cabinet members for not participating the last rite of Shantanu and the protest rally held yesterday and said, “Chief Minister skilfully avoided it to save the skin, as Shantanu was picked up and killed in front of police and CPI(M) leaders but none of the criminal is arrested. Sarkar walked for Gouri Lankesh but he avoided the journalist of his own state.” The police showed two youths arrested in connection with the murder of Shantanu and court sent them to 14 days police remand – was also unusual, he said adding actually both Shymal Debbarma and Bikash Debbarma were arrested in connection with attacking CPI-M workers a day before the murder but police adopted falsehood to shield the actual criminals. Several senior journalists and editors expressed displeasure over the role of Agartala Press Club and the unethical alignment with a particular political party. The journalists associations were also protested it and said they joined in the rally without knowing that it would be led by CPI(M) leaders. “Our demands were very simple – whoever be the criminals behind the murder they have to be punished immediately, the government should ensure security of the journalists and providing adequate compensation to the victim family but it was not ventilated in the rally,” said Subal Dey, a veteran journalist and editor of a leading daily here. However, Agartala Press Club authority declined to comment on it. UNI