ITANAGAR, Sep 21: Shocked by the brutal murder of journalist Shantanu Bhowmik in Tripura, the Arunachal Press Club, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists and Arunachal Electronic Media Association strongly condemned the barbaric act of the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT).
A 28-year-old Bhowmik was on an assignment to cover clashes between the IPFT and the Tripura Rajaer Ganamukti Parishad in Mandai, in West Tripura on Wednesday. Shantanu was abducted by a mob and later found dead.
Condemning the inhuman act, the Arunachal Press bodies termed the killing of a young scribe, as an ‘attempt to muzzle’ independent voice and freedom of press.
“Such brute force should be dealt with iron hand, so that crusaders of truth are protected”, the joint statement read.
Expressing solidarity with the deceased’s family and as well as the press fraternity of Tripura, especially Tripura Journalists’ Union, the Arunachal Press bodies demanded exemplary punishment for those perpetrators involved in the brutal murder.
Further, the fraternity urged the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar-led Government to ensure safety of the journalist community in Tripura.
Meanwhile, at least four activists of the IPFT were arrested by police in connection with the murder of the slain scribe, who was reportedly beaten to death.
Bhowmik became the seventh Indian victim-journalist this year after the murder of Bengaluru based editor-journalist and social activists Gauri Lankesh.
