India: Three Killed In Attack On Newspaper Office In Tripura

Three Killed In Attack On Newspaper Office In Indian State of Tripura

The International Federation of Journalists expresses its shock and horror at the brutal attack on a newspaper office in Agartala, capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, which left three employees dead on May 19.

Sources in the Tripura Journalists’ Union (TJU) inform the IFJ that three masked assailants made a forced entry into the office of the Bengali language daily, the Dainik Ganadoot, at around 3 p.m., and made their way up to the first floor of the building, where the editor, Sushil Choudhary lives. While searching for the editor, the assailants ran into Ranjit Choudhary, manager of the newspaper and repeatedly stabbed him, in an apparent case of mistaken identity.

On their way out of the building, the attackers stabbed Sujit Bhattacharjee, a proof-reader for the newspaper, who just happened to be in their way. Balaram Ghosh, a driver with the newspaper, who arrived at the scene on hearing the commotion, was also stabbed repeatedly.

All three reportedly died on the spot. It is believed that the three attackers were contract killers and that the target was editor Sushil Choudhary.

The IFJ extends its deepest condolences to the families of Ranjit Choudhary, 58, Sujit Bhattacharjee, 31, and Balram Ghosh, 40.

“We urge the authorities in the state of Tripura and the management of the newspaper to provide for the bereaved families in the best manner they can”.

“We call on the authorities moreover, to bring to book those responsible for this heinous crime”.

ENDS

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