Tripura’s media showed unconditional support to the people of Bangladesh as they shed blood, sweat and tears for their beloved motherland. The then editor of Dainik Sambad Bhupen Dutta Bhowmik, Anil Bhattacharjee and photographer Robin Sengupta top the list.
Bhupen Dutta Bhowmik was the first ever journalist to predict the coming revolution in Bangladesh in June, 1971, saying: “The liberation of Bangladesh was a reality in the near future. The national press failed to assess the situation.”
On 26 March, the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra operators risked their lives to spread Bangabandhu’s final message prior to being arrested: “This may be my last message, from today Bangladesh is independent...resist the occupation army to the last...”
On 27 March, 1971 Dainik Sambad ran the story, “Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra’s first declaration: Bangla is free.”
This news took Tripura by storm. International media houses like Reuters, BBC, the Baltimore Sun and others quickly picked up Dainik Sambad’s announcement.
From that point on, the Dainik Sambad provided regular, in-depth news reports on Bangladesh’s struggle for liberation, earning them the largest daily circulation in Tripura.
Journalist Anil Bhattacharjee opened his doors for Bangladeshi freedom fighters, leaders and intellectuals round the clock. He also covered the liberation war for the national media vis-à-vis Press Trust of India (PTI), The Hindu and Jugantar.
The Times of India and The Statesman enlightened the entire nation on Bangladesh’s war via their Agartala-based correspondents, Jyoti Prasad Saikia and Satyabrata Chakraborty, respectively.
Eminent photographer Robin Sengupta’s camera narrated tales of Bangladesh’s misery and hardship like no other. It is little wonder that Sengupta’s photos were published in newspapers worldwide.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
