Biswabrata Goswami
KRISHNAGAR, 15 JUNE: Subhamay Mitra, the District Information and Cultural Officer (DICO) of Nadia district, is facing allegations of obstructing two journalists from reputed daily newspapers in North 24 Parganas from obtaining Election Commission (EC) identity cards. This hindrance reportedly prevented them from covering the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections and the upcoming Ranaghat South by-election scheduled for July 10.
The two journalists, affiliated with the Nadia unit of the Indian Journalists Association (IJA), were denied EC identity cards multiple times. In response, IJA leaders, including Sukhendu Acharya, submitted a letter to Mr. Mitra seeking clarification. The letter also warned of potential agitation if a satisfactory explanation was not provided within seven days.
Allegations suggest that Mr. Mitra has provided inconsistent reasons to different authorities regarding the denial of identity cards, leading to confusion among the journalists. When show-caused by the district magistrate, Mr. Mitra reportedly stated that the Ranaghat Sub-Divisional Information and Cultural Officer (SDICO) could not recognize the journalists, making it unwise to issue the cards without proper recognition.
Further adding to the confusion, Mr. Mitra allegedly told an IJA member that the applications had been sent to Nabanna, the state administrative headquarters, where they were not granted. In another instance, he cited government policy as the reason for the restriction.
IJA leader Sukhendu Acharya expressed frustration over the inconsistent explanations. “Mr. Mitra is lying about the matter. We don’t know why he is obstructing our members,” Acharya said. The association has lodged complaints with Mahua Moitra, MP of Krishnagar, Ujjal Biswas, a state minister, Sabhadhipati Tarannum Sultana, and the highest authority of the information department.
As the situation unfolds, the journalists and their association await a clear and justified response from the authorities regarding the denial of their EC identity cards.
Tags: #DICO #IJA #Journalist #ECI
