Journo shot dead by Tripura cop after fight

A Tripura journalist, identified as Sudip Datta Bhowmik, was shot dead by 2nd Battalion Tripura State Rifles (TSR) rifleman Nanda Reang at the headquarters of the battalion at RK Nagar, a few kilometres from capital Agartala, on Tuesday.

Bhowmik's death comes two months after another journalist, Shantanu Bhowmik, was killed on the job by a mob while reporting on clashes between members of the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura and Tripura Rajaer Upajati Ganamukti Parishad.

Datta Bhowmik, who worked with local Bengali newspaper 'Syandan Patrika' and also with news channel 'Vanguard', was shot dead by Reang following an altercation. Bhowmik, who had gone to meet the commandant, had a heated argument with Reang, who shot him right outside the commandant's office.

Datta Bhowmik was rushed to the nearby GB Pant Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

West Tripura district superintendent of police Abhijit Saptarishi told DNA that Reang has been arrested and an inquiry is on. "A forensic team has collected the necessary evidence and we have also carried out post-mortem of the deceased," Saptarishi said.

Hours after the news broke, Tripura governor Tathagat Roy tweeted: "Second journalist dies unnatural death in Tripura. After Santanu Bhowmik, Sudip Datta Bhowmik of Syandan Patrika died from gunshot wound in Tripura State Rifles camp from the rifle of a sentry. Inquiry underway. Om Shanti."

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also condemned the incident. "We strongly condemn the brutal killing of journalist Sudip Dutta Bhowmik in Tripura. My condolences to the family of the deceased," she tweeted.