Bishalgarh, Dec 22 – The Bishalgarh Press Club on Monday submitted a deputation to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Sepahijala, raising concerns over threats made to a journalist after exposing alleged corruption in government projects.
The delegation, led by Press Club secretary Tajul Islam, met the SP to highlight that journalist and Press Club president Bhavatosh Ghosh had been threatened by an Agartala-based woman contractor, Saraswati Lodh, following news reports on irregularities in public works. The Press Club claimed that Lodh warned Ghosh of serious consequences and subsequently filed what was described as a “false case” against him and his father at Takarjala police station. Ghosh has also lodged a formal complaint regarding the threats.
The Press Club alleged that Lodh continues her corrupt practices under the political protection of a local leader named Mousumi. Serious concerns were raised over substandard construction work on a riverbank erosion prevention project along the Burima river in Golaghati. According to the Club, the boulders used in the project were of extremely poor quality, largely made of sand with insufficient cement or concrete, causing more than half to break apart. It was further alleged that sand was illegally extracted from the Burima river for use in the boulders.
The delegation stressed that Lodh became enraged after reports on the shoddy construction were published and threatened the journalist, allegedly exerting political pressure on local police to shield herself from accountability.
Demanding immediate legal action, the Bishalgarh Press Club urged the SP and District Magistrate Siddhartha Shiv Jaiswal to intervene and ensure a thorough investigation into both the threats against Ghosh and the alleged substandard construction work. The Press Club emphasized the importance of protecting journalists and holding public officials and contractors accountable for corruption and negligence in government projects.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by media personnel reporting on corruption, underlining the need for prompt action to safeguard press freedom and public interest.
