Tripura Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury has written to Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag, alleging serious security lapses by the Superintendent of Police (SP) of South Tripura during a CPI(M) programme in Belonia and seeking an inquiry and appropriate action against the officer.
In his letter, Chaudhury accused the South Tripura SP of failing to maintain law and order during a programme held at Chottakhola on July 15 to mark the second martyrdom anniversary of CPI(M) leader Badal Shil, who was killed on August 12, 2024, while returning after filing his nomination papers for the 2024 three-tier Panchayat elections.
The Opposition leader said the CPI(M) had obtained prior police permission to organise the event. According to him, a party delegation led by Belonia MLA Dipankar Sen met the District Magistrate and the SP on July 13 to request adequate security arrangements. He also claimed to have spoken with the DGP on July 14, who assured him that necessary instructions would be issued to ensure the programme proceeded peacefully.
Chaudhury alleged that BJP supporters and “gangs of goons” assembled at Chottakhola on the morning of July 15 and intimidated local residents to prevent them from attending the programme. Despite repeated appeals by CPI(M) leaders, he claimed the police merely assured them that no untoward incident would occur.
He further alleged that three vehicles carrying CPI(M) supporters were vandalised in the presence of police personnel, leaving five to six party supporters injured. Chaudhury claimed that his repeated calls to the South Tripura SP during the incident went unanswered.
The CPI(M) leader also alleged that police personnel stopped his convoy at several locations while he was travelling to the venue, delaying his arrival by more than an hour. He claimed that near Chottakhola market, the Additional SP, accompanied by a Deputy Collector and a large police contingent, prevented him from reaching the programme site.
Accusing the police of obstructing a lawful and constitutionally protected political programme instead of acting against those allegedly responsible for the disruption, Chaudhury held the South Tripura SP responsible for what he described as “inefficiency, inaction, inability and security mismanagement.”
He has urged the DGP to order an inquiry into the officer’s conduct and take appropriate action to ensure accountability.
