Agartala, Feb 10: A three-hour public sit-in and protest meeting was held by media workers in front of Rabindra Bhavan on Monday, placing an 11-point charter of demands before the state government. The protest witnessed participation from more than 800 journalists and media workers representing all subdivisions of the state.

Among the key demands raised were ensuring the safety and security of journalists and media workers, allocation of free land for housing for journalists of all levels in their respective areas, and earmarking ₹50 lakh for the Journalists’ Welfare Fund in the upcoming state budget.

The protesters also demanded that the existing pension and family pension benefits for journalists be doubled.

Other demands included doubling the rates and prices of government advertisements, ensuring regular advertisements for weekly newspapers, bringing newspaper distributors under group insurance coverage with provision for monthly allowances, and offering a 50 percent concession on electricity bills for media establishments.

The gathering further called for action against two MLAs of the ruling party, alleging that they had attempted to intimidate members of the media.

Around 150 journalists and media workers from the tribal community participated in the protest under the banner of the Khumlung Press Club.

Speakers at the meeting strongly condemned what they described as increasing social, economic and physical attacks on the media and urged the government to take immediate steps to safeguard press freedom and ensure the dignity and security of media professionals across the state.