The 12 hour general strike called to protest brutal murders of three newspapers employees evoked widespread response in Tripura on Tuesday. Main opposition Congress enforced the strike in Agartala while a new political outfit Tripura Pragatishil Gramin Congress extended the call to entire state.
Police meanwhile failed to make any progress in investigation over murders of three employees in office of the Dainik Ganadoot - Bengali daily newspaper – at posh Palace Compound in Agartala city on Sunday afternoon. Tripura Working Journalists’ Association has demanded a probe by the CBI as state police could not make any headway 48 hours after the gruesome murders carried out by suspected contract killers.
The strike was total in Agartala and also paralysed life elsewhere in state except some areas in south Tripura. The unusual strike called in protest against bloody attack in a newspaper office also hit trade with Bangladesh at different border points.
The scheduled meeting of council of ministers on Tuesday morning could not take place as ministers and top government officials were prevented by Congress workers outside the secretariat. PCC president Sudip Roy Burman and senior leaders of the party joined the picketing.
However flight operation to and from Agartala airport and train services were normal. No untoward incident reported from anywhere of the state.
The horrifying broad daylight murders in a newspaper office earned widespread condemnations and created panic among journalist fraternity in Tripura. A team of editors and a delegation of the Agartala Press Club met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and placed demands like security to journalists and newspaper offices.
Despite demands from media organisation the state government has not yet announced compensation to bereaved families. Chief Minister himself visited the crime scene and consoled widow of a murder victim.
Though police have not been able to crack the sensational case so far, but believed to have found some vital clues. Director General of Police Sanjay Sinha is supervising the investigation after Chief Minister Manik Sarkar told him to take necessary steps.
Meanwhile a youth has been found murdered at Nandan Nagar on city outskirts. Police said body of Sakir Mia bore multiple stabbing marks and the deceased was branded criminal wanted in connected with several cases.
