Father asks for CBI probe in Tripura journalist’s murder

Agartala, Oct 10: In a new turn, slain journalist Santanu Bhowmik’s father Sadhan Bhowmik today demanded CBI probe into the death of his only son in a mysterious circumstance on September 20 last when he was covering a political event at Mandwi in West Tripura. In an interview to a local news channel, Sadhan Bhowmik said, “I have no confidence in the state police. A CBI probe can only reveal the actual truth behind my son Santanu’s murder. I want to see the criminals involved in the killing of my son to be punished.” Earlier, Shantanu’s mother – an employee of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council Papri Nath Bhowmik had also demanded impartial enquiry into the brutal murder. But meantime, Tripura government constituted SIT under IGP (Training) G S Rao, which enraged the media community and political parties. The inconsistent statement of police regarding the role of security forces during Shantanu’s murder, his recovery and transportation to Agartala Government Medical College avoiding nearest hospitals and ambulance have created controversy. Allegedly, Shantanu was murdered in front of police and the actual criminals in the case were not booked yet. The demands of various media organizations for CBI probe into the sensational journalist murder case has been strengthened further with the slain journalist’s father voicing the same demand. Shantanu Bhowmik (28) went to the spot with some local people of Jirania; he was in contact with some of his friends till the last but SIT is still clueless about the murder. Except, ruling CPI-M and Agartala Press Club all the political parties including the accused IPFT and 11 media organisations have been demanding CBI probe into the murder to unearth the truth. The journalists have been demonstrating to press for the demand for last 20 days but government has not responded to it. On the other, IPFT has begun 12-hour sit in demonstration at Takarjala of Jirania demanding CBI probe into Shantanu murder case and stop atrocities on IPFT supporters by police today. The IPFT leaders alleged that innocent tribals and IPFT supporters were arrested in Shantanu murder case and missing of a driver on September 20 last. “Police is forcing the arrested ones to make favourable statement regarding the cases to save the actual culprits. We urge the central government and judicial authorities to intervene into the matter to refer the case to CBI as soon as possible; otherwise, the actual culprits will be saved and innocent tribals will suffer more,” alleged IPFT leader Ananta Debbarma. UNI