Tripura government closes Gomati SP Namit Pathak and Addl. SP Souvik Dey over mishandling of YTF protest. Sepahijala SP Bijoy Debbarma takes interim charge.
Agartala (Tripura) June 4: The Tripura government has closed Gomati district’s Superintendent of Police (SP) Namit Pathak and Additional SP Souvik Dey for their alleged mishandling of a protest led by the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF) – the youth wing of Pradyot Kishore Debbarma-led TIPRA Motha Party.
The officers reportedly failed to stop the YTF activists from locking the District Magistrate’s office. SP Bijoy Debbarma has been assigned additional responsibility for Gomati.
In a firm move underscoring the importance of law and order during politically charged events, the Dr Manik Saha-led government directed both officers to report immediately to the Police Headquarters in Agartala.
The action follows growing outrage over the police administration’s passive response during the YTF demonstration.
The protest, staged in Gomati district on June 2, was triggered by accusations that Gomati District Magistrate Tarit Kanti Chakma had declined to meet Tipra Motha Party chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarma at DM’s residence on a Government Holiday.
This refusal incited anger among Tipra Motha supporters, leading YTF activists to demand action against the DM and launch a protest outside his office in Udaipur, the district’s administrative hub.
During the demonstration, YTF members gathered outside the DM’s office and broke open the barricades put up by the police.
However, local police officers present at the scene reportedly refrained from intervening, failing to prevent the demonstrators. This inaction has drawn criticism regarding the neutrality and effectiveness of the police force involved.
Resentment heightened when a video surfaced showing protesters stomping on a framed photograph of the District Magistrate—a gesture that was widely condemned by civil society groups and political commentators.
The viral footage highlighted a breakdown in authority, with no apparent effort by police to control the situation.
I Earlier Report: YTF in Tripura ‘symbolically’ locks Gomati DM Office , other Govt offices l
Local media highlighted the ‘failure’ of the police led by the SP and the additional SP.
Reacting strongly, the state administration on Wednesday ‘closed‘ SP Namit Pathak and Addl. SP Souvik Dey.
Though no official suspension has been declared, the term “close” in administrative usage implies the officers have been removed from active duty and are required to await further instructions or inquiry outcomes at headquarters.
Meanwhile, to ensure continuity in district policing, the government has handed over temporary charge of Gomati’s police leadership to Bijoy Debbarma, the current SP of Sepahijala district. He is expected to bring administrative order and restore public trust.
The demonstration of YTF Activists also reflects the increasing political clout of Tipra Motha Party and its affiliated bodies in Tripura’s political landscape.
With Pradyot Kishore Debbarma’s growing appeal among indigenous populations through his advocacy for “Greater Tipraland,” conflicts between state authorities and his supporters have become more frequent.
While the recent protest did not turn violent, the symbolic defiance it showcased has raised concerns about the erosion of institutional respect.
The government’s decision to remove two senior officers indicates its intent to strike a balance between protecting democratic rights and upholding the rule of law.
The fallout from the protest and subsequent action against the police officials sends a strong message that administrative lapses—particularly during politically sensitive episodes—will not be overlooked.
With panchayat and local elections approaching, the situation has added to the already tense political climate in the state.
The spotlight now shifts to SP Bijoy Debbarma as he steps into a leadership role in a district facing intense scrutiny.
