Assembly of Journalists Demands Arrest of Those Threatening Senior Journalist Manas Pal with Death, AOJ Calls for Police Action

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 29, 2026

The Assembly of Journalists (AOJ), a journalists’ organisation in Tripura, has strongly condemned the alleged death threats issued against senior journalist Manas Pal on social media and demanded the immediate identification and arrest of those responsible. The organisation has also called for adequate security for the journalist and urged the state police to initiate a suo motu case and take legal action against the accused.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, AOJ expressed serious concern over the alleged threats, which reportedly followed Pal’s publication of a social media post discussing a historical criminal incident in Tripura. The organisation said the threats were a matter of grave concern for the safety of journalists and the freedom of expression.

According to the AOJ statement, a person identified as Joyti Chakma allegedly issued a public death threat against Manas Pal after the journalist shared a report on social media. The organisation claimed that the post and subsequent reactions had triggered threats against the journalist.

Pal is a recognised name in Tripura’s media fraternity, particularly for his work in crime-related investigative journalism. According to AOJ, he has been writing on social media for nearly three decades about various issues concerning banned militant organisations in the state and their leaders.

The immediate controversy reportedly arose after Pal published a social media account of the history of the Risaibari gang-rape case, allegedly involving an NLFT militant identified as Haflong Jamatia. AOJ said the account angered some individuals, who subsequently issued threats against the journalist.

The allegations concerning the threats and the identity of those responsible require investigation by the police.

The journalists’ organisation said the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the alleged perpetrators were available on social media and urged the police to take cognisance of the matter without waiting for further delay.

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