Alipurduar: The reporter of a Bengali daily is missing from his home in Alipurduar district since Sunday after eight persons, earlier named by him in an FIR for issuing threats for writing a college admission bribery story, were arrested.
A top police officer Monday said a manhunt has been launched to trace Chayan Sarkar, a reporter of Uttarbanga Sangbad, who has been missing since 9 am yesterday from near his home in Alipurduar town.
Sarkar's notebook, scooter and purse were found lying at a spot, he said and assured the agitating press corps of Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts that all efforts are being initiated to track him.
The Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri Press Club members alleged that Sarkar was kidnapped by a group involved in an admission racket in a college in Alipurduar district and that he earned their wrath after filing an investigative report in the largely circulated daily in North Bengal which "exposed" how huge cash was being demanded from the candidates and guardians for admissions.
As he had lodged an FIR after publication of the news on July 28 about getting life threats and named eight persons, al the accused were yesterday arrested from Alipurduar, the officer said.
He added that though circumstances leading to the scribe's whereabouts remained unclear after the arrests, sleuths were hopeful about finding him soon.
Meanwhile, members of Jalpaiguri Press Club and Alipurduar Press Club wearing black ribbons marched to the SP's offices in the two districts.
The family members of the young journalist blocked the arterial road in Alipurduar area demanding that he be traced immediately.
