Media seeks Governor's intervention on harassment of journalists

Agartala, Jan 20 (UNI) The management of a leading vernacular daily in Tripura has sought Governor D N Sahaya's intervention on the alleged harassment of a senior journalist by CRPF jawans at Hawaibari area of West Tripura last week.

In a memorandum to the Governor, Managing Editor of Dainik Sambad Parmita Livingstone alleged that the CRPF jawans had stopped their vehicle, with the news editor and publisher of the newspaper, along with another correspondent, at National Highway 44 on January 17, arguing that NLFT militants were using the vehicle.

''Even after disclosing their identities, the CRPF jawans forced them to get down and detained them for more than a hour in the camp, claiming that the personnel had specific information that NLFT militants would be traveling in the vehicle,'' Ms Livingstone stated.

She sought the intervention of the Governor on the issue and said the press, as the fourth pillar of democracy, should not be subjected to such humiliating treatment based on misplaced information.

Meanwhile, the incident triggered resentment among the media fraternity of the state while the Agartala Press Club, Tripura Working Journalists' Association and Tripura Journalists' Union, as well as other media units, condemned the incident and demanded action against the CRPF personnel.

The matter was also raised before the Election Commission of, Press Council of India, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police.

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