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Tripura journalists demand CBI probe into Santanu Bhowmik’s murder
Journalists in Agartala are contemplating moving the high court for a CBI probe into the murder of the young journalist.
After the BJP and the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), Tripura journalists have now demanded a CBI probe into the murder case of Santanu Bhowmik who was hacked to death on September 20 while covering a clash between two rival tribal bodies at Mandwai.
“Police had arrested two youths in connection to Santanu’s murder case. But it is mere eyewash. Tripura police failed to properly investigate murder cases of minister, MLAs and bureaucrats earlier. So, we demand the state government hand over the murder case to the CBI for an impartial probe,” said Subal Dey, veteran scribe and editor of a local newspaper Syandan Patrika. But he stressed that the murder should not be given any political colour.
Journalists’ associations even declared that they would approach the high court to ensure security of scribes during duty hours and would appeal to it for a CBI probe into Santanu’s murder if the state government rejects calls for such an investigation.
Seven different journalists’ organizations also condemned Santanu’s murder and held a peace rally in the state capital on Saturday evening followed by a meeting in front of Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhawan.
A silent procession was organized by Agartala Press Club on Friday.
Read more: Journalist killed in violence between rival tribal wings in Tripura
BJP state president Biplab Deb had written to Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday asking him to send a team from his ministry immediately to visit various parts of the state. He also asked that the murder case be handed over to the CBI to unearth the truth.
BJP state in-charge Sunil Deodhar in his tweet blamed Chief Minister Manik Sarkar for not participating in Friday’s procession to condemn the young journalist’s murder.
The government has suspended internet services since the night of September 20 to check communal tension following Santanu’s murder. Internet services are likely to remain suspended till Sunday midnight.
