Agartala, July 18: Leader of Opposition and CPI(M) leader Jitendra Chaudhury has written to Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag, seeking action against the Superintendent of Police (SP) of South Tripura district over alleged failure to maintain law and order during a CPI(M) programme held at Chottakhola in Belonia on July 15.
In his letter, Chaudhury alleged that despite prior police permission for the event and repeated requests for adequate security, CPI(M) supporters travelling to attend a programme commemorating slain party leader Badal Shil were attacked before reaching the venue.
According to Chaudhury, a CPI(M) delegation led by Belonia MLA Dipankar Sen met the South Tripura District Magistrate and the SP on July 13, requesting sufficient security arrangements. He further claimed that he personally spoke to the DGP over the phone on July 14 to stress the need for proper security during the programme.
The opposition leader alleged that on the morning of July 15, groups of alleged BJP supporters assembled in the area and intimidated people intending to attend the event. He claimed that three vehicles carrying CPI(M) supporters were vandalised and several party workers sustained injuries despite the presence of police personnel.
Chaudhury also alleged that he tried to contact the South Tripura SP after learning about the incident, but the officer did not respond to his calls. He said he later informed the DGP, who assured him that necessary action would be taken.
The CPI(M) leader further claimed that police repeatedly stopped his vehicle while he was travelling to Chottakhola, delaying his arrival at the venue by over an hour. Near the programme site, he alleged, he was once again stopped by the Additional SP, a deputy collector and a large contingent of police personnel, preventing him from reaching the scheduled venue.
In the letter, Chaudhury accused the district police of obstructing a peaceful programme instead of taking action against those allegedly responsible for the attacks. Holding the South Tripura SP accountable for the situation, he sought a departmental inquiry into the officer’s conduct and appropriate disciplinary action.
The programme was organised to mark the second death anniversary of CPI(M) leader Badal Shil, who was killed on August 12, 2024, after filing his nomination for the three-tier panchayat elections.
There was no immediate response from Tripura Police to the allegations made by the Leader of Opposition.
