Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 04 April 2025
The heart of Diglipur beats heavy with grief, mourning the loss of one of its bravest voices. On the evening of April 3rd, thousands flooded the streets of this quiet town, their hands clutching flickering candles, their eyes brimming with tears, their voices united in sorrow and anger. They walked not just for justice, but to honour the memory of Sahadev Dey—their friend, their brother, their guardian of truth.
Sahadev was not just a journalist. He was the conscience of Diglipur, a man who fearlessly stood against corruption and crime, who dedicated his life to exposing the darkness that lurked within the alleys of his beloved town. But on the night of March 29th, that voice of reason was silenced in an act of brutal, unspeakable violence. His body, desecrated and discarded, was meant to be erased. Yet, his spirit lives on in the hearts of thousands who refuse to forget.
The candle march, beginning at the Tehsildar Office Area and weaving through the town’s busiest streets, was not just a procession—it was a statement. People of all ages, from frail elders to young schoolchildren, walked side by side, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight. Before the march commenced, a solemn gathering at Children’s Park saw men, women, and children lay flowers before Sahadev’s photograph. As a two-minute silence fell over the crowd, the only sounds that remained were hushed sobs.
Tears turned into an outpouring of emotion when former editor of News App Tak, Mr. J. Boby, addressed the gathering. Struggling to hold back his grief, he spoke of the fire that Sahadev carried within him—the fire of truth, of justice, of an unwavering commitment to the people of Diglipur. His voice cracked, his hands trembled, and in that moment, no one could hold back their sorrow.
The weight of what had happened was unbearable. The brutality of Sahadev’s murder at the Nehru Yuva Kendra Office, the cruel attempt to burn away his existence at DB Gram, the scattered remains left to be forgotten in the creeks of Shibpur—was a wound too deep for the community to fathom. Yet, even in the face of such horror, Diglipur refuses to be broken.
Sahadev’s life was one of courage, his mobile camera and microphone a weapon against injustice. In his absence, his fight has become the fight of thousands. As the people of Diglipur held their candles high, they vowed that his story would not end in the ashes. They demanded justice, not just for Sahadev, but for every voice that dares to speak the truth.
Nicobar Times mourns the loss of a fearless journalist, a son of the soil, and a true warrior for justice. We pray for his soul to rest in peace, knowing that his legacy will continue to shine bright—just like the countless candles that burned in his honour last night.