Tripura journalists unhappy with SIT investigation in Shantanu’s murder

Agartala, Oct 26: The joint forum of journalists today expressed disappointment over the investigation of SIT into the murder of TV journalist Santanu Bhowmik. Addressing media here today veteran journalist and convenor of the forum Subal Kumar Dey said that 11 media organizations of Tripura had been demanding CBI probe into the murder of Santanu soon after the incident. The media organisations, except Agartala Press Club, and all the political parties, barring CPI-M, supported the demand but the state government constituted SIT. But even after a month there is no progress of SIT investigation. Besides, the media fraternity and parties, Shantanu’s father had also written to President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home minister Rajnath Singh along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Governor Tathagata Roy seeking CBI probe in the murder of his only son but there is also no response from them, Dey said. To press for the demand of impartial investigation into the murder media organisations have been continuing candle vigil in front of Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan and it will continue until the state government hands over the case to CBI, he maintained. Referring to the advisory of Ministry of Home Affairs to the home secretaries and DGPs of the states and UTs, he said the Centre has taken an appreciable step following increasing attacks on the journalists in the country and demanded the government to strictly enforce the measures for safety of the media people. In the advisory Director of CS-I S K Bhalla stated that it is the duty of state to ensure safety and security of journalists who ensure the fourth estate discharges the service to express citizens’ opinions freely without any fear and coercion as provided under the Constitution. The state and UT administrations were asked to strictly enforce the law to ensure that a peaceful environment prevail allowing journalists and media personnel to exercise freedom of speech and expression in their professional pursuit ensure that investigations are concluded in a time bound manner and public trust in criminal justice system is maintained. UNI