Guwahati-based journalist Naresh Mitra, working with the Times of India, passed away at a private hospital in the city on December 9 morning.
Mitra, who used to cover environment and related beats for the Times of India in Guwahati, was found injured when he was returning home late night on November 22. He was found with severe head injury at around 10:30pm at an area under Bhangagarh police station in Guwahati.
Mitra was admitted at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) before he was moved to a private hospital in the city.
While initial reports said that Mitra may have met with a road accident – probably a hit-and-run case – doctors later suggested that it could be a case of assault on the senior journalist.
Several journalists, friends and family members and journalist organizations in Guwahati demanded a high-level probe into the alleged attack.
Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) demanded a thorough probe into the case. “We strongly demand a high-level probe into the incident where Naresh got injured that night,” the organization has appealed.
“Senior journalist Naresh Mitra, who worked for Times of India passes away this morning. According to the attending doctors in Nemcare hospital, Naresh breathed his last at 5.45 am on December 9. Naresh faced a mysterious accident in Guwahati on November 22 night as he was returning home by his modified bicycle at around 10.30 pm. He was recovered in an unconscious condition at Rupnagar locality of the city,” said Naba Thakuriya, Secretary, Guwahati Press Club, in a statement.
