Agartala Mar 24: In a move to restore public confidence amid a spike in high-profile criminal activity, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha announced on Monday March 23) that concerned authority had formed an investigation team to probe the daring extortion attempts and firing at the residence of a prominent businessman in Bishalgarh.
The Chief Minister’s intervention in the State Assembly comes as the Netajinagar locality remains gripped by fear following two consecutive nights of gunfire targeting the family of contractor Anup Kumar Saha.
The Assembly Face-off
The issue was brought to the floor during Zero Hour by Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy. He criticized the law enforcement’s apparent “failure” to apprehend the prime suspect, Ranabir Debnath.
Roy highlighted a chilling detail: the victim’s house, located barely 300 meters from the Bishalgarh Police Station, was fired upon twice within 24 hours.
“The main accused is linked to multiple crimes, yet he continues to evade the law,” Roy alleged, questioning if administrative lethargy was emboldening local gangs.
A Digital Death Threat
Responding to the concerns, Dr. Saha who also holds Home Department portfolio detailed the harrowing ordeal faced by the businessman’s family.
The investigation revealed that miscreants reached Saha’s doorstep and forced his wife, Soma Saha, to answer a video call.
On the other end of the screen was Ranabir Debnath, who allegedly demanded ₹50 lakh in “protection money,” threatening to kill her husband if the sum wasn’t paid.
When the demand was rebuffed, the miscreants opened fire while fleeing. They returned the following day to attempt a forced entry, firing shots again before disappearing into the night.
“I have personally reviewed the matter and issued clear directives for strict action. The investigation team led by the Additional SP of Sepahijala, is currently conducting raids,” the Chief Minister assured the House.
News Analysis: The Bishalgarh Security Vacuum
The Bishalgarh subdivision has historically been a volatile corridor in Tripura’s socio-political landscape.
This recent incident reflects a troubling shift where criminals are now utilizing digital tools—like video calls and social media threats—to bypass traditional surveillance.
The audacity of firing weapons within earshot of a major police station suggests a perceived erosion of the “rule of law” that the current administration is now scrambling to rectify.
For the investigation team, the challenge isn’t just catching Debnath, but dismantling the local “protection” rackets that residents claim have grown under the shadow of influential backing. Drug rackets and ganja smuggling have added further woes.
Ground Reality: Panic in Netajinagar
Local residents have expressed mounting frustration, alleging that the accused was already wanted for theft and bomb-related incidents.
Eyewitness reports confirm that the assailants used a motorized rickshaw for the getaway – Police are currently verifying the detail through CCTV footage that Police had seized.
While no injuries were reported, the psychological impact on the community is profound.
Residents are now questioning the effectiveness of local policing. They are fearing that without the investigation team’s success, the culture of “taxation” by criminal elements could become the new norm in the subdivision.