AGARTALA:Tripura government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the assault of 11 photo journalists during a clash between security forces and opposition activists at the MBB College area here, officials said on Thursday.
Mediapersons of different organisations took to streets today to protest the assault on photo-journalists.
A group of about 6-7 journalists last night met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and briefed him how the lensmen were hurt as they fell in the middle of clashing of police and Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel and opposition activists.
Sarkar has ordered a magisterial probe to ascertain what led to the assault of the media persons.
“We believe in the freedom of press and if any police official is proved guilty he would be punished. No one would be spared,” Sarkar assured the delegation.
However, refusing to acknowledge the mediapersons who met the CM as their representatives, the Convener of ‘Assembly of Journalists’ forum Pranab Sarkar said, “The CM should have spoken to us. He spoke to those persons not involved with the movement of the media. We do not recognise them.”
The mediapersons submitted a memorandum to the Governor D Y Patil today containing a 4-point charter of demands which include suspension of SP (West) Aneesh Prasad, officer in charge of East Agartala police station, Narayan Saha and officer in-charge of College tilla police outpost Jahangir Hossain for excesses committed on journalists while they were performing their professional duties.
The photo journalists bore the brunt of the security attack when they were covering a demonstration of opposition Congress at the MBB College on Sunday last. (PTI)