The Tripura govt has closed SP Namit Pathak and Addl. SP Souvik Dey of Gomati district for their mishandling of a Youth Tipra Federation protest. The officers allegedly allowed YTF activists to lock the DM office. SP Bijoy Debbarma has been given additional charge of Gomati.
The Tripura state government has closed the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gomati district, Namit Pathak (IPS), and Additional SP Souvik Dey for their controversial role in handling a recent protest by the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF), the youth wing of the Tipra Motha party. The officers have been asked to report to the Police Headquarters in Agartala immediately, signaling a strong message from the government on maintaining law and order during politically sensitive demonstrations.
The decision came after widespread criticism over the police’s passive stance during a protest organized by YTF activists in Gomati district. The demonstrators, angry over an alleged insult to Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, locked the office of the District Magistrate and were seen engaging in acts of disrespect, including trampling on a photograph of the DM.
The Youth Tipra Federation held a protest demanding disciplinary action against Gomati District Magistrate Tarit Kanti Chakma. According to reports, the DM had refused to meet with Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, sparking outrage among party supporters and its youth wing. The YTF organized a demonstration outside the DM’s office in Udaipur, the headquarters of Gomati district.
During the protest, several YTF activists locked the DM’s office and staged a sit-in. In what is now being seen as a major failure of administrative oversight, local police officials on the scene did not take any action to prevent the unlawful locking of a government office. Instead, they allowed the protest to continue, leading to serious questions about their impartiality and capability.
The situation escalated when a group of agitators was caught on video trampling on a framed photo of the District Magistrate. The act, widely shared on social media, drew condemnation from various quarters, including civil society and political observers. The visuals showed a clear breakdown of order, with no police intervention.
Taking strong exception to the incident, the state government on Wednesday ordered the closure of SP Namit Pathak and Additional SP Souvik Dey. The move was based on their failure to contain the situation and their inaction as the protest turned unruly. While no formal suspension has been announced, “closure” in administrative parlance means that the officers have been relieved of their responsibilities and must report to headquarters pending further orders or inquiry.
To maintain continuity in law enforcement, the government has assigned the additional charge of Gomati district SP to Bijoy Debbarma, the current SP of Sepahijala district. He is expected to bring stability and restore confidence in the district administration.
| Also Read: Agartala to relocate families from flood-prone zones: Mayor |
The incident underscores the growing influence of Tipra Motha and its offshoots in the state’s tribal belts. With Pradyot Kishore Debbarma gaining popularity among indigenous communities through his vocal demands for “Greater Tipraland,” confrontations between his supporters and the state machinery have become increasingly common.
The latest protest, though non-violent, turned symbolically aggressive and attracted sharp criticism for undermining the dignity of administrative offices. The government’s action to close down two top police officials indicates a desire to strike a balance between maintaining democratic space for protest and enforcing rule of law.
The closure of Gomati district’s SP and Additional SP following the YTF protest is a clear indication that the Tripura government is unwilling to tolerate lapses in policing, especially during politically sensitive events. With the upcoming panchayat and local body elections, the incident has added a new layer of tension in the state’s already charged political atmosphere. All eyes will now be on the new officer-in-charge, Bijoy Debbarma, as he takes the reins of a district under scrutiny.
