Agartala, June 10:
Amid rising political tension in Tripura, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday staged a massive protest rally in Agartala, demanding the immediate arrest of Congress youth leader Sahajahan Islam. The protest followed Islam’s controversial remarks made during a social media live session, in which he allegedly criticised Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha and state officials in connection with communal tensions over open cow slaughter during Bakra Eid.
Hundreds of BJP supporters marched through key parts of the city, including Post Office Chowmuhani, the location of the Congress headquarters, under heavy police security. Protesters raised slogans and held placards condemning what they termed as “derogatory and communally provocative” statements made by Islam.
Later in the day, a BJP delegation led by Sadar District President Ashim Bhattacharjee met West Tripura Superintendent of Police Kiran Kumar K, urging swift action against Islam. “We strongly condemn the language used by Sahajahan against our respected Chief Minister, Dr. Manik Saha, and other leaders from the Minority Morcha and Home Department. The CM is a dignified figure and a well-known doctor, committed to the state’s development,” Bhattacharjee told the media.
He added that the remarks were not only disrespectful but capable of inciting communal violence. Bhattacharjee also alleged that two senior Congress leaders were backing Islam despite his inflammatory comments, which he termed unacceptable.
Bhattacharjee claimed that BJP workers had gathered peacefully near Islam’s residence but were attacked with bricks thrown from inside the house. “Despite provocation, our workers exercised restraint. We were at the East Police Station late into the night and filed an FIR around 3 a.m., demanding exemplary punishment for Islam,” he said.
Meanwhile, police sources confirmed the arrest of Sahajahan’s father Najrul Islam and brother Khairul Islam. Search operations are ongoing to apprehend Sahajahan Islam, who remains absconding as of Monday evening.
