After a group of journalists were brutally attacked by a gang of miscreants on late Monday night in a street of Agartala, a group of journalists led by senior editors met the DGP (Intelligence) at police headquarters in the evening demanding stringent punishments of all accused attackers.

The attack on scribes drew widespread condemnation from media bodies and after deputation with DGP, he assured them that stringent steps would be taken to ensure the safety of journalists across the state.

According to an FIR filed by the journalists, six journalists were en route to the Chandrapur Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) around 1 AM when a four-wheeler blocked their path. A group of miscreants came out from the car and all of sudden they attacked the journalists.

"We were attacked by a group of armed miscreants while on duty around 1:00 to 1:15 AM on our way from Motor Stand to Math Chowmuhani. We recognized some of the attackers—Sukanta Debnath (alias Nishan), Akash Banik, and Sourav Bhattacharya, but others remain unidentified," read the First Information Report (FIR) jointly filed by journalists and editor of ‘Public Now’ news channel Prasenjit Bhattacharjee, Bijoy Singha Roy, Pranab Shil, and senior journalist Mihir Sarkar.

The attackers were traveling in a vehicle with registration number TR01B 40753 and claimed they are the activists of Yuva Morcha of ruling BJP. Although the journalists narrowly escaped, they sustained serious injuries and reported that the attackers issued death threats.

"The miscreants also stole cash and gold ornaments from us. They severely damaged two mobile phones and a camera during the attack,” complaints journalists in their FIR, filed at East Agartala police station,.

General Secretary of the Assembly of Journalists (AOJ) and senior editor Sanit Debroy condemned the attack and after deputation with DGP, Debroy speaking with media said that “Prasenjit Bhattacharjee, Pranab Shil, and Mihir Lal Sarkar are prominent figures in the state's media and they were on their way to verify information when a group of hooligans assaulted them. This is unacceptable."

Tripura Journalist Union President Pranab Sarkar has also expressed his anguish and said that  the media in Tripura has faced repeated attacks, two journalists were killed, and two newspaper offices were set on fire.  He said that if the police administration will not ensure strict action, the media fraternity  will launch a statewide protest.

After strong instruction from Chief Minister, Dr Manik Saha, driver of the car involved in the attack has been detained, and the vehicle seized.

Police sources said that three attackers identified as Akash Banik, Sukanta Debnath and Sourab Bhattacharjee were arrested and police are now looking to arrest other miscreants involved in the attack.