Tripura journalist Shantanu Bhowmick's killing is an attempt to 'muzzle' press freedom, says Arunachal Pradesh media associations

Itanagar: The media fraternity in Arunachal Pradesh condemned the killing of Tripura journalist Shantanu Bhowmick, saying it was an attempt to “muzzle” the freedom of the press. A joint statement issued by the Arunachal Press Club (APC), Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and Arunachal Electronic Media Association (AEMA) said, “such brute force should be dealt with an iron hand so that crusaders of truth are protected.” Expressing solidarity with the family members of the deceased and the press fraternity of Tripura, the joint statement demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators involved in the killing. [caption id=“attachment_3817177” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT) members. PTI.[/caption] “It is an inhuman act and an attempt to muzzle the independent voice and freedom of the press,” the joint statement said.The statement also demanded that Tripura government should ensure the safety of the journalists. Bhowmick, who worked with a local television channel, was covering a clash between the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) and the Tripura Rajya Upajati Ganamukti Parishad, the tribal wing of the CPM when he was hit from behind and abducted on Wednesday. Later, the scribe was found with serious stab injuries and rushed to Agartala Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared him ‘brought dead’ .