Journalists attacked, TWJA delegates meets deputation with DGP and CEO

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, April 3, 2024

A delegation of Tripura Working Journalists Association on Tuesday submitted two separate memorandum to Tripura's Chief Election Officer (CEO) and State Director General of Police, demanding the arrest and strict punishment of those involved in the attack on journalist Prasenjit Roy in Bishalgarh. The memorandum was handed over to IG (Law and Order) Soumitra Dhar in the absence of the Director General of Police. IG (Law and Order) Soumitra Dhar concurred with the issue of security for journalists in performing their professional duties. He said that two people have already been arrested in connection with the attack on journalists in Bishalgarh. Three others have been ordered to be arrested. He also gave a clear message that no one involved in this incident will be spared. A strong demand has been made by the association to ensure the safety of journalists during the election process.

In the same claim a delegation of Tripura Working Journalists Association also met Chief Electoral Officer Punit Agarwal at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of the state on Tuesday evening and demanded to ensure the protection and safety of journalists during the polling process. The memorandum addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer narrates the bitter experience of the past few years on the day of polling and the unexpected interference of poll functionaries especially by a section of central security personnel and polling staff at counting centres. The journalists demanded the positive intervention of the Election Department in fulfilling their professional duties. The Chief Electoral Officer acknowledged the legitimacy of the demands and assured to take necessary action. He praised the strong role of the fourth pillar of democracy in the voting process. He called for the full cooperation of the media and journalists during elections of the two Lok Sabha and one assembly constituencies in the state. Meanwhile, he said that the identity cards paid to the journalists by the Election Office have already been prepared and sent to the Information and Culture Department. They will be handed over to the concerned journalists soon. The chief election official urged the journalists to report any kind of complaint immediately on the polling day.