Tripura Journo Death: Scribes Protest Near CM’s House, 3 Arrested

BJP blamed the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government in Tripura for failing to maintain law and order in the state.

Journalist Santanu Bhowmick was killed on 20 September in Mandai in West Tripura district.

(Photo: Anjana Dutta/The Quint)

Journalists on Wednesday, staged a protest near Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's residence, with mortal remains of journalist Sudip Datta Bhowmik who was killed on 21 November.

On 22 September, two men were arrested in connection with the murder of Bhowmik. The two men are members of the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IFPT), a tribal party demanding a separate homeland, NDTV reported.

Commandant of Second Tripura State Rifles Tapan Debbarma was also arrested on 22 November, in connection with the murder of the journalist Sudip. Debbarma will be to be produced in the court today.

Police zeroed in on four people initially, and one of them was let off after police questioning and another, who was injured in the violence, was admitted to the hospital.

A political clash had reportedly broken out between CPI(M)'s tribal wing Tripura Rajaer Upajati Ganamukti Parishad and IPFT workers, when Bhaumik was suddenly attacked with sharp weapons. Around 60 people were injured in the clashes.

While covering the agitation, he was hit from behind and abducted. Later, he was found with serious stab injuries and was rushed to Agartala Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

The editor of TV channel ‘Dinraat’, Samir Dhar said the attack was a “planned murder.” He said that Bhowmik continued to report, even when he was threatened.

Then they dragged him to the side and chopped him barbarically.

Samir Dhar, editor, Dinraat

Bhowmik’s uncle, Hiranmoy Roy, alleged that his nephew’s life could have been saved by the police if they tried.

When he was dragged, police was around, they could have rescued him.

Hiranmoy Roy, uncle of slain journalist Santanu Bhowmick

Hundreds of journalists attended the reporter’s funeral.

BJP, which is hoping to capture power from the Manik Sarkar-led CPI(M) government in Tripura, blamed the ruling party for the incident. Assembly elections are due in the state next year.

The CPI(M) alleged that the BJP was indirectly helping the IPFT.

This is the first time a journalist has been brutally killed in Tripura... They are trying to create an environment of panic.

Bhanu Lal Saha, Tripura Information Minister

BJP has blamed the Sarkar government of failing to maintain law and order in the state.

We want a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the killing.

Sunil Deodhar, BJP state chief

Also Read: In Tripura, Slain Journalist Santanu’s Last Despatch Plays on Loop Tripura

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