Agartala, July 16: The All India Services Association (AISA), Tripura Chapter, on Thursday strongly condemned Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Choudhury for referring to the Superintendent of Police (SP) of South Tripura as an “idiot” during a confrontation with police in Belonia. The association demanded that the CPI(M) leader withdraw the remark and issue an unconditional public apology.
In a joint statement issued on behalf of the IAS, IPS and IFS associations in the state, the association said the comment against a serving Indian Police Service officer, made while he was discharging official duties, was inappropriate and inconsistent with the dignity expected from a constitutional functionary.
“The Superintendent of Police, South Tripura District has been performing his official responsibilities in accordance with the law. Personal attacks on officers carrying out their duties in good faith can erode public trust in institutions and adversely affect the morale of the police force and civil services,” the statement said.
The association acknowledged that elected representatives have the right to question government policies and administrative decisions but stressed that criticism should remain respectful and should not include abusive or insulting language directed at individual public servants.
It further alleged that Choudhury had recently made “unsubstantiated and offensive allegations” against senior government officials. Repeated personal attacks on civil servants without credible evidence, the association said, weaken public institutions and demoralise officers entrusted with implementing the law.
The statement was jointly signed by Rajesh Kumar Das on behalf of the IAS Association, R. Darlong representing the IPS Association, and S. Prabhu representing the IFS Association.
The controversy stems from an incident on Wednesday when police halted a CPI(M) procession at Chottakhola in Belonia subdivision of South Tripura, citing law and order concerns after local villagers gathered along the route in protest.
The rally had been organised in memory of late CPI(M) leader Badal Chandra Shil, who died in 2024 after allegedly being assaulted.
During an argument over the police decision to stop the procession, Choudhury was heard in a video clip referring to the South Tripura SP as “an idiot” and claiming he had conveyed the same to the Director General of Police. Additional SP Suman Majumder immediately objected to the remark, urging the Opposition leader to maintain decorum befitting his constitutional position.
Police officials maintained that although permission had been granted for the rally, the procession was stopped midway solely to prevent any untoward incident and maintain public order.
