By Firstdespatch Desk Oct 18, 2024
Agartala, Oct 18 (FD) The leader of the opposition (LOP) and former minister Jitendra Chowdhury on Friday criticized the alleged custodial death of the Tribal youth from Manu Bazar in South Tripura district and demanded exemplary punishment of the erring police officials.
Chowdhury today visited the house of the Badal Tripura (26) at Manu Bazar area and spoke to the bereaved family. He said, this incident is the Durga puja gift of the BJP led government.
Chowdhury alleged that the police in the state have become oppressive and acting as stooge of the government.
“Even as the allegation against the tribal youth is true that he had stolen something then he could be punished according to law. But killing a person inside the police custody for flimsiest ground is not acceptable”, he told reporters.
Chowdhury also alleged that law and order has collapsed and rule of jungle was prevailing in the state in the name of good governance.
Five police personnel were detained after alleged custodial torture on a 26-year old tribal youth, who succumbed to his injuries at Manu Bazar hospital under Sabroom Sub-division in South Tripura district on Thursday.
A tribal youth, identified as Badal Tripura (26) was arrested on charge of theft of rubber sheets on October 13 and was purportedly beaten inside the police custody at Manu Bazar police station. He was released next day after night long torture in the custody, Chowdhury alleged.
His parents alleged that their son had sustained so serious injuries in the police beating that he had to be hospitalized in Sabroom for treatment but he died yesterday.
His death in hospital triggered massive protests in the Manu Bazar area where the police station was laid under siege by irate people.
The SP of the district, Ashok Kumar Sinha rushed to the spot to pacify people and to have the police station freed from the siege.
Five police personnel posted in the police station were detained after an FIR was lodged by the parents of the victim, SDPO of Sabroom, Nityananda Sarkar told reporters.
The irate people also put up a blockade on the Agartala-Sabroom main road. However, the blockade was lifted later. FD JK