Agartala (Tripura), July 2, 2025: The main opposition in Tripura, CPIM raised concerns over alleged police inaction against the growing culture of impunity for politically motivated attacks amidst ruling BJP’s ‘Sushashan’ (Good Governance) slogan.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, CPIM Politburo member and Leader of the Opposition, Jitendra Choudhury, has slammed the administration for failing to uphold law and order, despite repeated promises of ‘Sushashan’ by the ruling BJP.
Choudhury’s letter paints a grim picture of escalating political violence, particularly targeting opposition leaders, supporters, and party offices. In the letter, Choudhury alleged, most of these acts have reportedly occurred in full view of law enforcement personnel who, despite being present on the ground, ‘refrained’ from intervening or taking action against the perpetrators.
“The Chief Minister’s recent endorsement of giving ‘free hand’ to the police was expected to usher in unbiased and swift law enforcement,” Choudhury noted. “Instead, what we are witnessing is a sharp surge in political hooliganism, with the police either standing by or actively aiding the ruling party’s supporters by remaining passive.”
The letter details multiple attacks that occurred between June 17 and June 30, 2025. These include:
June 17: CPIM activists were assaulted in Bisalgarh during a permitted meeting, with over 20 motorbikes vandalized by BJP Yuva Morcha members, while police reportedly remained inactive for over an hour.
June 21: An INC programme in Udaipur was disrupted, and former minister Sudip Roy Barman was allegedly assaulted, despite a strong police presence.
June 22: Residences of CPI(M) supporters in Jirania, Narsingarh, and Jogendranagar were ransacked for their political affiliations. Police allegedly failed to take action against those responsible.
June 24: A CPIM meeting in Takarjala was attacked by masked Tipra Motha supporters. Despite adequate police deployment, no timely intervention was made.
June 29-30: Scheduled CPIM programmes in Kakraban and Tulamura had to be either disrupted or abandoned due to violent interference and what was described as the police’s “connivance” with ruling party cadres.
The cumulative effect of these incidents has left opposition parties questioning the sincerity of the BJP’s commitment to democratic norms and its much-touted promise of ‘Sushashan’. According to Choudhury, “The phrase ‘free hand’ has been dangerously misinterpreted. Instead of empowering the police to uphold justice, it has seemingly emboldened political goons while paralyzing law enforcement.”
He urged the Chief Minister to take immediate corrective action to restore public faith in the administration and ensure that the police act independently and impartially.
“The rising tide of political violence and administrative silence is not only undermining democracy in Tripura but is also exposing the glaring gap between the BJP’s rhetoric and reality,” Choudhury warned.
As the situation grows tense ahead of upcoming political events in the state, all eyes are on whether the government will act decisively or continue what the opposition alleges is a policy of selective silence.
