Journalists, media workers hold massive protest meeting  in Agartala, seek action against two ruling MLAs

More than 800 journalists and media workers from across Tripura on Monday staged a massive three-hour sit-in demonstration and protest meeting in Agartala, demanding strict action against two ruling party MLAs accused of intimidating senior journalists, along with a series of long-pending welfare and security-related demands.

The protest was held in front of Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan, where journalists raised concerns over growing threats, intimidation and misuse of political power to suppress independent reporting. Around 150 journalists and media workers from the tribal community, representing the Khumulwng Press Club, also participated in the programme.

The protesters placed an 11-point charter of demands before the state government, which included ensuring the safety and security of journalists and media workers; free allotment of land for housing to journalists in their respective working areas; allocation of Rs 50 lakh to the Journalists’ Welfare Fund in the forthcoming state budget; and doubling of journalists’ pension and family pension amounts.

Other key demands included doubling advertisement rates and value for recognised print, electronic and web media; ensuring regular government advertisements for weekly newspapers under a special policy; a 50 per cent rebate on electricity charges for recognised media houses; and inclusion of newspaper distributors (hawkers) under a group insurance scheme along with a special monthly allowance.

During the protest meeting, a delegation of journalists led by senior editor Subal Kumar Dey met Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and submitted a memorandum detailing their demands. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that the issues raised would be examined and necessary steps taken. The journalists, however, warned that if justice was not ensured in the alleged intimidation cases, they would approach the Prime Minister, the Union Home minister and the President of India.

Addressing the gathering, speakers including Subal Kumar Dey, Sanjay Paul, Sanit Debroy, Pranab Sarkar, Dibakar Debnath, Narayan Patari, Sebak Bhattacharjee and newspaper distributors’ leader Nani Gopal Saha appealed for unity within the media fraternity to safeguard press freedom and democratic values.

The speakers alleged that BJP MLA Ramprasad Paul and Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma had misused their constitutional positions to harass and intimidate two senior journalists after reports were published on alleged corruption, unethical practices, and communal and violent activities linked to them. They claimed that repeated threats and pressure tactics were aimed at silencing the media and concealing alleged misconduct.

Terming such actions detrimental to democracy and government–media relations, the protesters demanded immediate legal action against the two legislators. They also called for strict punitive measures against individuals who misuse administrative authority and social media platforms to target journalists and throttle the voice of the press.

The meeting further urged the state government to ensure early completion of the long-pending trials related to the killing of journalists Sudip Datta Bhowmik and Santanu Bhowmik, cases that have remained unresolved for over nine years, and to ensure punishment of those found guilty.

Additional demands included implementation of clear guidelines to prevent misuse of press stickers on vehicles and concrete measures to improve the living standards and social recognition of journalists and media workers, recognising the media as a vital pillar of democracy.