Agartala, Dec 22, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala, Dec 22: The local journalists expressed serious disappointment that they were not allowed to cover the proceedings of the high-profile 72nd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at Pragna Bhawan in Agartala on December 21.   

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the session. Union Minister for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia, and the Governors, Chief Ministers, and senior officials from all eight northeastern states attended the meeting.

While the session marked a pivotal moment for the region’s development discourse, the exclusion of local journalists caused serious contention. The Agartala Press Club, the Tripura Journalist Union, and other media bodies expressed strong disapproval over the government’s decision to deny local media representatives access to cover the event.

Eighteen journalists from outside the state were invited to cover the NEC plenary, provided with green cards, and hosted at a five-star hotel with special arrangements for accommodation and meals. In stark contrast, journalists from Tripura were not invited, nor were they allowed entry into Pragna Bhawan, the venue of the session to cover the proceedings of the session.

This exclusion caused a massive stir and has been perceived as a deliberate snub to the local journalism community, which has a long-standing record of contributions at both national and international levels.

“This decision to overlook local journalists in their city is not only disappointing but also deeply disrespectful to the press fraternity of Tripura,” said Secretary of the Agartala Press Club Ramakanta  Dey. In a strongly worded statement, he further said, “The government’s attitude in sidelining local journalists at such an important event is regrettable and unacceptable.”

Adding to the grievances, local journalists who were provided tokens for lunch at the Bankers Conclave-2024, held at a private hotel following the NEC plenary, reported that they were denied meals. This incident has further fueled the perception of discriminatory treatment towards local media professionals.

Expressing displeasure and discontent, the Tripura Journalist Union has condemned these actions in no uncertain terms.

“The exclusion of local journalists from covering the NEC plenary and the mistreatment at the Bankers Conclave reflect a serious lack of respect and regard for the state’s press community,” said Secretary of the Union, Santosh Gope and added, “We urge the state government to ensure that no such discriminatory practices should be repeated in the future.”

The NEC plenary, a critical forum for discussing the Northeast region’s developmental priorities, should have been an opportunity to highlight and strengthen the region’s journalistic voices. Instead, the event has left the local press community feeling marginalized and aggrieved, lamented an Agartala-based senior Journalist.