By Tripura24 News Desk | Khumulwng/Agartala Monday, February 9, 2026
KHUMULWNG: In a shocking assault on the freedom of the press, senior journalist Shri Asish Debbarma was brutally attacked by a group of unidentified miscreants late last night near his residence in Khumulwng. The attackers reportedly used the butt of a firearm to strike him, leaving the journalist with severe head injuries.
The Incident: A Targeted Assault
According to local sources, the incident occurred while Asish Debbarma was returning to his home in Khumulwng. A group of masked miscreants intercepted him and, without provocation, launched a violent physical assault. Witnesses and family members stated that the attackers used a gun butt to hit him repeatedly on the head.
Bleeding profusely, Asish was immediately rushed to the local hospital by his neighbors. While his condition is currently stable, the brutality of the attack has sent shockwaves through the journalistic community across Tripura.
Agartala Press Club Demands Immediate Arrests
The news of the attack sparked immediate outrage among media professionals. This morning, a high-level delegation from the Agartala Press Club, led by the President and senior executive members, reached Khumulwng to stand in solidarity with the victim.
The delegation formally visited the Radhapur Police Station and submitted a First Information Report (FIR) against the unknown assailants.
“An attack on a journalist is an attack on democracy itself. We have seen a rising trend of violence against media persons in the state, and this latest incident in Khumulwng is unacceptable. We demand that the police identify and arrest the culprits within the next 24 hours,” the Agartala Press Club President told Tripura24.
Media Fraternity Calls for Security
Journalist bodies, including the Tripura Journalists Union (TJU) and the Khumulwng Press Club, have condemned the “cowardly” act. They noted that Asish Debbarma is known for his fearless reporting, and they suspect the attack might be a pre-planned attempt to silence his voice.
The media fraternity has raised several demands:
- Immediate Arrest: The Radhapur Police must use all available resources, including CCTV footage and local intelligence, to track the attackers.
- Firearm Investigation: The use of a firearm (gun butt) in the assault raises serious concerns about the proliferation of illegal arms in the ADC areas.
- State Protection: A call to the Home Department to ensure the safety of journalists working in sensitive regions.
Police Response
The Officer-in-Charge of Radhapur Police Station confirmed the receipt of the FIR and stated that a massive manhunt has been launched. “We are taking this matter very seriously. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the BNS, and we are investigating all possible angles, including personal enmity and professional retaliation,” the official stated.
The incident has cast a shadow over the state’s law and order situation, particularly in the TTAADC headquarters of Khumulwng, with journalists planning a statewide protest if no progress is made in the case by tomorrow
