New Delhi: Taking suo-motu cognizance of the murder of journalist Santanu Bhowmik in Tripura, the Press Council of India has sought an immediate report on the issue.
The PCI chairperson Justice Chandramouli Kumar Prasad, has sought an immediate report on the murder from the Tripura chief secretary, secretary (Home), director general of police and the SP west Tripura, a statement said.
Meanwhile, in a joint resolution on Friday, the Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Association, Federation of Press Clubs in India have decided to organise a peaceful protest on October 2 in defence of the rights of journalists.
Claiming that attacks on journalists was a worrying trend, the resolution demanded a time bound action from state governments against those involved in killing and intimidating journalists.
With cases of abuse on social media increasing the resolution called on governments to identify and take swift action against those posting threatening messages. It also called on state government to create welfare funds for journalists for social and health security of the fraternity.
Bhowmick, who worked with a local television channel, was covering a clash between the IPFT and the Tripura Rajya Upajati Ganamukti Parishad, the tribal wing of the CPI(M), in Mandai area of west Tripura on Thursday when he was hit from behind and abducted. Later, the scribe was found with serious stab injuries and rushed to Agartala Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him ‘brought dead’.
Bhowmick’s killing comes days after the murder of veteran editor Gauri Lankesh in Bengaluru that had sparked widespread outrage and concern on the state of free press in India.
