Journalist assaulted in Agartala, one detained

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Journalist Abhijit Bhattacharya and his son were allegedly assaulted near Juba Sangha Club on Road No. 1 in Ramnagar here in the early hours of Tuesday.  

The incident took place around 1.10 am on October 20, when a musical programme was reportedly underway at the club. A case has been registered at West Agartala police station, and police have detained one person in connection with the incident. The Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer has said steps would be taken to arrest the remaining accused after the Durga idol immersion process was completed.

According to the complaint, a portion of the road had been blocked with bamboo barricades despite part of the road being clear. After Bhattacharya's wife and son crossed the stretch on foot, the journalist attempted to remove a bamboo barrier and proceed on his motorcycle.

He was allegedly abused by a group of youths who were drinking in a nearby lane before they assaulted him. When his son tried to record the incident on his mobile phone, the assailants allegedly snatched the device and smashed it on the road. The son was also assaulted.

Both sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Agartala Press Club president Pranab Sarkar visited Bhattacharya at his residence on Wednesday morning and condemned the attack. He said he was distressed to learn that the journalist's son had also been assaulted.

“An incident of this nature in the heart of Agartala is deeply concerning,” Sarkar said, alleging that the journalist was assaulted without provocation while travelling with his family.

Sarkar also alleged that the group used an iron rod during the attack and said video footage of the incident was available. He demanded the immediate arrest of all those involved and exemplary punishment for the assault on the minor.

He said he had contacted the officer-in-charge of West Agartala police station after learning about the incident. According to Sarkar, the police officer informed him that one person had already been detained. He also said police personnel had responded to the incident and taken the injured to hospital.

Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder also visited the injured journalist after receiving information about the incident. 

Sarkar alleged that loud music was being played despite restrictions under a High Court order and police advisories.

The names of several accused have emerged in connection with the case, including Samrat Deb, Manik Deb, Debashish Bhattacharya, Shubham Karmakar, Mrityunjay Bhattacharya, Abhijit Barman and Supradip Gupta. 

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