AGARTALA, FEB 10: More than 800 journalists and media workers from across Tripura staged a three-hour mass sit-in and protest meeting in front of Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan here in Agartala on Monday, Feburary 9, demanding enhanced welfare measures, better working conditions, and immediate action against two ruling party legislators accused of harassing senior journalists.
The demonstration, which drew participants from all sub-divisions of the state including 150 journalists from the tribal community representing Khumulwng Press Club, centered on an 11-point charter of demands submitted to Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha. A delegation led by senior editor Subal Kumar Dey met with the Chief Minister and handed over a memorandum detailing their grievances.
The protesters are seeking several key measures including allocation of Rs 50 lakh for the Journalist Welfare Fund in the upcoming 2026-27 budget, doubling of pension and family pension amounts for journalists, and free land allocation to journalists earning below a specified income level for housing near their workplaces.
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The demands also include doubling advertising rates and prices for recognized media outlets, arranging regular advertisements for weekly newspapers, and providing a 50% discount on electricity charges for news media outlets.
However, the most contentious aspect of the protest focused on allegations against two members of the state legislative assembly. The journalists accused ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ram Prasad Paul and TIPRA Motha Party, a BJP ally, MLA Ranjit Debbarma of misusing their constitutional positions to harass two senior journalists who reported on allegations of corruption and communal violence against them.
The speakers at the protest meeting stated that MLA Paul faces allegations of corruption and unethical activities, while Debbarma, a former insurgent group leader, faces allegations of communal violent activities.
Meanwhile, Dr. Saha assured the delegation that he would examine the demands and take necessary measures. However, the representatives made it clear that if justice is not obtained regarding the allegations against the two MLAs, they will escalate the matter to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and even the President of India.
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The protest rally was addressed by several prominent media figures including Subal Kumar Dey, Sanjay Pal, Shanit Debroy, Pranab Sarkar, Dibakar Debnath, Narayan Patwari, Sebak Bhattacharjee, and newspaper distributor leader Nani Gopal Saha.
The speakers called for maintaining strong unity throughout the media and demanded firm punitive action against those attempting to silence journalists through social media by misusing administrative power and constitutional positions.
Moreover, the journalists raised concerns about the perpetually deprived newspaper distributors, demanding group insurance coverage and monthly special allowances for hawkers. They also called for specific guidelines to prevent unethical use of press stickers on vehicles.
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The delegation additionally pressed for expediting the trial process in the cases of martyred journalists Sudip Datta Bhowmik and Shantanu Bhowmik, which has been pending for 9 years, and ensuring punishment for the criminals involved. The speakers emphasized that the MLAs’ actions were deteriorating the relationship between journalists and the government and polluting the democratic environment of the state.
The protest reflects growing tensions between the media fraternity and certain political figures in Tripura, with journalists demanding not only improved economic conditions but also protection from what they describe as intimidation and harassment by those in positions of power.