Photo Courtesy: tripuratimes
Agartala: Tripura Opposition Leader Jitendra Chaudhury slammed the state government for bullying the press. He claims officials are silencing outlets that highlight failures in governance. This crackdown allegedly targets YouTube channels, Facebook pages, and cable networks. They suffer from abrupt service disconnections and broad broadcast suspensions.
Chaudhury linked these actions to media coverage of state failures. Outlets faced heat for reporting on broken roads, power outages, and gaps in ration supplies like rice, pulses, and sugar. Others caught trouble for questioning stalled hiring processes for TET and TRBT exams. He called this a direct assault on free expression.
The government exerts pressure on newspapers by cutting off state advertisements. "The role of the media is not to praise either the government or the opposition, but to present facts and truth in the public interest," Chaudhury said. He labeled the press the fourth pillar of democracy.
Corruption is also rampant. Chaudhury claims the zero tolerance policy is a sham. He identified rot within the PWD, Health, and Police departments. Officials from the top down ignore the rules. This failure guts the credibility of the entire administration. His charges have ignited fierce debate throughout the state.
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