By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in
AGARTALA | May 15, 2026
AGARTALA: Standing in solidarity with the media fraternity following today’s brutal attack, Agartala Press Club President Shri Pranab Sarkar and senior journalist Shri Surajit Pal visited the Govind Ballabh (GB) Pant Hospital this evening. They were there to inquire about the health of senior photojournalist Bijay Debnath, who is undergoing treatment after being assaulted by an auto-rickshaw driver at the Radhanagar petrol pump.
The leaders spent time with the injured journalist and his family, assuring them of the complete support of the state’s media organizations in their pursuit of justice.
Strong Condemnation and Call for Action
Speaking to reporters at the hospital premises, Pranab Sarkar expressed deep concern over the declining safety of journalists on the field.
”Bijay Debnath is one of our most senior and soft-spoken photojournalists. Attacking him while he was simply performing his duty is an attack on the freedom of the press. We have already spoken to the police administration. While the vehicle has been seized, the driver must be arrested immediately to send a strong message that journalists are not soft targets,” Pranab Sarkar stated.
Surajit Pal added that the recurring nature of such incidents—referring to the recent attack on another woman journalist—is unacceptable and that the Press Club would not rest until “exemplary punishment” is meted out to the culprit.
Medical Update on Bijay Debnath
According to hospital sources, the photojournalist is currently stable but remains under observation.
- Injuries: He has sustained significant swelling and soft tissue injuries to his face and mouth.
- Treatment: Doctors have performed necessary scans to rule out any internal fractures. He has been advised complete rest for the next few days.
Fraternity Stands United
The visit by the Press Club leadership has boosted the morale of the local journalists, many of whom have been camping at the hospital and the East Agartala Police Station since the morning.
The Agartala Press Club has announced that if the accused driver is not apprehended within the next 24 hours, the managing committee will meet to decide on a further course of agitation, which may include a protest march to the Police Headquarters.
