Finally CPI(M) tribal wings accuse Tripura police of shielding criminals

Agartala, Oct 16: Exerting pressure on the government, ruling CPI(M)’s tribal wing Upajati Ganamukti Parishad (GMP) accused police of shielding the criminals who attacked their cadres, ransacked the party offices and terrorise the situation in hilly parts of Tripura. GMP president and CPI(M) Loksabha MP Jitendra Choudhury also raised serious allegation against a section police personnel including the officer to the level of Superintendent of Police (SP) for supporting the goons in attacking GMP supporters at various areas since September 19 last. Choudhury said that the number of security personnel under the command of state police was larger than the Indigenous Peoples’ Front of Tripura (IPFT) supporters at several places in Jirania, Mohanpur, Jampuijala sub-divisions under West Tripura and Khowai districts. However, a section of police personnel and jawans had supported the goons to attack GMP supporters on their way to Agartala for attending the rally from which the political clashes and communal tension flared up, he alleged. He demanded DGP Akhil Kumar Shukla to institute a departmental enquiry ransacked and damaged party offices of GMP and destruction of more than 60 vehicles in the clashed. Choudhury further alleged the authority was failed to provide adequate security in all sensitive areas despite knowing the situation. Later police was reluctant a take action against those goons and the minor group of police personnel who supported those miscreants in attacking. Even after 24 days have elapsed since the incident, there is hardly any sign of serious police actions to nab the accused and punish them, Choudhury said adding that a delegation of GMP has submitted memorandum DGP demanding arrest of all culprits named in the FIR. The GMP leaders have also expressed serious concern over the role of police in finding out the missing driver Jiban Debnath who was reportedly kidnapped by the miscreants near tribal areas autonomous district council (ADC) headquarter few hours later of the murder of young TV journalist Shantanu Bhowmik (28) on Sep 20 last at Mandwai. Jiban was hired by a Delhi based journalist Sajjan Kumar along with a local tribal youth of Mohonpur area identified as Biswajit Debbarma. Although both Sajjan Kumar and Biswajit were managed to escape unhurt, Jiban was picked up the miscreants at night in presence of security personnel and the vehicle was burnt down. When BJP raised voice police arrested to tribal youths reportedly belong to IPFT in connection with the missing of Jiban and both have been interrogated by police in the custody for past 10 days but nothing was came out. Even police could not yet ascertain the condition of Jiban though police claimed that the detainees were the main accused. Similarly, police could not make any headway into the murder of journalist Shantanu in Madwai in a mysterious circumstance. Three tribal youths and supporter of IPFT were arrested so far though on Sep 26 last DGP claimed that a gang of 10 to 12 people killed Shantanu and all were identified. “Police arrested three persons where two were arrested before murder of Shantanu in another case and third person was arrested by police is a drug addict. Though police claimed they were involved in the murder, we don’t believe they are the main culprits. Police statement is contradicting the fact and it appears that they wanted to save the criminals,” alleged joint forum of 11 media organisations of Tripura. They further alleged that the government had constituted SIT to investigate Shantanu murder case but they yet to make any headway rather destroying the evidences. Similarly, in case of Jiban Debnath police is doing the same thing. UNI