Thaindian News

Agartala, July 19 (IANS) Journalists in Tripura Tuesday organised sit-in demonstrations in Agartala and different places of the state, demanding suspension of police officials who allegedly led a police baton-charge on media persons here July 10.

The Assembly of Journalists, which was reconstituted recently, spearheaded the agitation. The leaders of the organisation met Governor D.Y. Patil July 14, seeking his intervention on the issue.

“The governor had assured the journalists’ delegates that steps would be taken but no action has been taken so far,” said Assembly of Journalists convenor Pranab Sarkar.

“A candlelight march would be organised July 23 as part of the phased agitation to push the demand for security for journalists working in Tripura and suspension of the guilty police officials,” Sarkar said.

A 21-year-old youth was killed and 111 people, including 28 policemen and 11 journalists, were injured in Agartala on July 10 and 11 in a series of clashes between the police and Congress workers, who allege that the state adopted prejudiced policies towards the state’s medical students.

So far, West Agartala police station officer-in-charge Manindra Debnath and College Tilla outpost officer-in-charge Jahangir Hussain have been transferred.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who also holds the home portfolio, said in a series of statements that a magisterial inquiry has been ordered on the reported assaults on media persons and action would be taken against the guilty.