The journalist fraternity of Tripura along with the opposition political parties of the state on Sunday condemned Chief Minister Biplab Deb’s statement wherein he had ‘threatened’ to take action against certain media house for ‘misreporting’ on COVID-19 and also for ‘spreading fake news’.

Senior journalists of the state came together at Agartala Press Club on Sunday and they asked the Chief Minister to withdraw his threat statement and seek an apology within three days.

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“After the CM’s statement, two journalists have been attacked by miscreants within 24 hours,” said senior journalist Jayanta Bhattacharjee.

“The journalists are now scared and we have decided to send a memorandum to the Tripura Governor, International Federation of Journalist Union, Commonwealth Human Rights organization and union home minister Amit Shah seeking their interventions,” he further informed.

An ad-hoc committee under the banner of Assembly of Journalists- a forum for protection of journalists and media workers was also constituted under the chairmanship of senior journalist Subal Kumar Dey.

This body will soon convene a conference of journalists working in block, sub-divisions and district towns as they have been bearing the brunt of attacks of miscreants and mafia.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Bhupen Borah, who visited Tripura on Sunday to attend an organizational meeting, kicked off a protest in front of the Congress Bhawan and announced a 12-hour strike on September 21condemning several issues including the attack on media.

The CPI (M) state committee also condemned the statement of CM Biplab Deb.