Agartala: May 10: A delegation from the Tripura Pradesh Youth Congress on Tuesday met the Chairman of the Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC), Justice Arindam Lodh, to seek urgent intervention in protecting the human rights of party leader Shahjahan Islam, his family, and other minority families residing in the Masjid Patti area of Agartala’s Santipara.
In a formal complaint submitted to the THRC, the Youth Congress alleged that Shahjahan Islam’s residence was attacked by BJP-backed miscreants on the night of June 8, reportedly in response to a Facebook Live video in which he made “offensive and provocative” remarks targeting Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Tripura Police, and certain BJP minority leaders over a cow slaughter issue. The video sparked widespread criticism across communities.
According to the Youth Congress, the attackers vandalized Shahjahan’s home, damaged furniture, and misbehaved with female members of the household. Shockingly, instead of taking action against the assailants, East Agartala Police allegedly arrested Shahjahan’s elderly father and brother—neither of whom, the complaint states, were involved in the incident. Both were sent to 14-day judicial custody.
The memorandum further claims that local BJP workers have been threatening Shahjahan’s family with eviction and pressuring other minority community residents to vacate their homes. Shahjahan’s elderly mother, wife, and nine-month-old child are reportedly living under constant fear, with threats that the house would be demolished by bulldozer if the family refuses to leave.
The Youth Congress has condemned the arrests and alleged threats as gross violations of human rights and urged the THRC to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and dignity of Shahjahan Islam’s family and the wider minority community in the area.
