AGARTALA, July 2 (TIWN): After PTI on Sunday night reported IPFT’s 3 top leaders including MLA Dhirendra Debbarma were booked by CBI along with at least 300 more activists of the party, in a press conference IPFT has denied the report claiming it a ‘rumour’. Addressing a press conference, Add General Secretary of IPFT Mangal Debbarma said, “IPFT while welcoming the investigation by CBI on the murder case of Journalist Santanu Bhoumik but there are grapevine that a few IPFT leaders are associated with that incident". "IPFT vehemently opposed of such grapevine and firmly expressed confident on the independent inquiries by CBI to unearth the truth and to award exemplary punishment to the culprits involved in the incident", he said.

"But in no case innocent general public including IPFT leaders should be harassed", Mangal Debbarma told media.

"IPFT has reasons to believe that some conspiracy being hatched out by some elements to harass IPFT targeting for furtherance of the interest of such elements. IPFT strongly protest of such heinous conspiracy and appeal to the general public not to be  influenced by such rumours”, he said. 

“IPFT shall extend all possible support to the CBI for their initiative to unearth the truth”, Mangal Debbarma added.

As per PTI report, CBI booked IPFT MLA, 2 top leaders in Journalist Santanu Bhaumik murder case.

Tripura TV channel journalist Santanu Bhaumik was killed mercilessly on September 20, 2017 at Mandai. After the murder state’s major section of journalists and BJP on that time as opposition had demanded CBI to probe journalist Santanu Bhaumik murder case. On that time, the CPI-M Govt denied CBI and police investigated the case.

Since BJP came in power, CBI investigation delayed for long three months. After BJP led state govt handed over Journalist Santanu Bhaumik murder case to CBI, CBI has held 3 IPFT top leaders in his murder connection.

The booked persons are : IPFT MLA Dhirendra Debbarma, party leader Balaram Debbarma and its Mandai divisional committee president Amit Debbarma, PTI reported. 

Around 300 IPFT supporters’ names have been registered in the complaint, according to PIT report.

Apart from PTI various National media as Hindustan Times, Business Standard, Indian Express, The Telegraph of India, ANI etc.

On Monday, IPFT via press conference has denied the report and said the party believes CBI as an independent organization.