AGARTALA, Sep 27 (TIWN): Tripura ICA Minister Bhaulal Saha has clearly rejected CBI's intervene in Santnau murder case. In a press conference Bhanulal Saha clearly said, "SIT is being set for Santanu murder case and CBI investigation is right now not needed". This announcement has triggered mass resentment among the journalists, who have lost their friend in CPI-M / IPFT violence.

On the other side in demand of CBI probe in brutally killed journalist Santanu Bhowmik's murder case, Tripura journalists have shown mass agitation at Mandai on Tuesday. The team of journalists had protested on the exact spot where Santanu was murdered on Sep-20. The agitation was shown when ICA Minister announced about the SIT probe to Santanu murder case.

The Cabinet discussed the murder and decided to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a senior Indian Police Service officer to probe it," Information and Finance Minister BhanulalSaha told reporters after the cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who also holds the home portfolio.

"As his mother is a government employee and his younger sister is still studying, the government, despite its willingness, is unable to offer a government job to Santanu's family," Saha added.

About a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation or a High Court Judge, as demanded by journalists' organisations and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress, the Minister said the SIT probe had been decided on after a review of the progress of the probe in the case.

"People must keep faith in police's ability in handling such cases. We hope the police will be able to provide justice to the victim's family," he added.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Southern Range) Arindam Nath told IANS that so far three people, including main accused SachinDebbarma, have been arrested for the killing of the journalist.

Sachin, a surrendered militant of National Liberation Front of Tripura and currently a member of tribal outfit Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), was involved in crime in Mandai area in western Tripura where the journalist was killed, police said.

Meanwhile, the situation returned to normal on Tuesday in most parts of west Tripura and Khowai districts where IPFT supporters have allegedly carried out a series of attacks since September 19, including the one in which the 28-year-old journalist was killed.

However, police said, 29-year-old driver Jiban Debnath of a private vehicle was still missing since September 20 and a search was on for him.

A journalist of a Delhi-based newspaper had hired the private vehicle to visit Khumulwng along with a local guide. IPFT members attacked them and burnt the vehicle. While the journalist and his guide reported to the police on September 21, the driver remains missing.