GUWAHATI: A TV journalist in Tripura was killed in a clash between the supporters of Gana Mukti Parishad (GMP), the tribal wing of the ruling CPI-M and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) on Wednesday. Shantanu Bhowmik, 28, who worked for a local Bengali channel “Din Raat”, died while covering the clash at Mandai, 28 km from state capital Agartala, around noon.
According to reports, Bhowmik was covering the agitation and road blockade by the IPFT when he was hit from behind. He sustained severe head injuries in the attack and was immediately rushed to the GBP Hospital in Agartala. However, he succumbed to his injuries in the evening.
After the incident, journalists in Agartala staged a protest demanding action against the perpetrators of the crime. Mandai was already tense following Tuesday’s violent clashes between the supporters of the two parties in the town as well as at several other places, prompting the authorities to clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in West Tripura and Khowai districts.