Tripura Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury alleged that Delhi Police detained several Left leaders, including former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, during a peaceful protest in the national capital. The demonstrators included members of SFI, DYFI and CITU.
Several Left leaders from Tripura, including former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, were allegedly detained by Delhi Police during a peaceful protest in the national capital on Saturday, according to Chaudhury.
In a video message recorded from a bus carrying the detained protesters, Chaudhury said he was among those taken into custody along with members of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
He also identified several state committee members, including Manik De, Kajal De and Kali Purkayastha, as being among the detained protesters. The detention of senior Left leaders, including Sarkar, was reported by Chaudhury in his video statement.
According to the Tripura Opposition leader, the protesters were stopped near Sugreev Bhawan in Delhi while marching towards a location he referred to as the “Yantrik Mantralaya”. He alleged that the police detained the demonstrators and were taking them to an unidentified location on the outskirts of the national capital.
Chaudhury criticised the police action, describing it as an attempt to restrict peaceful political dissent. He accused the Narendra Modi-led government of undermining democratic rights and constitutional principles. These allegations were made by Chaudhury in his video message; an independent account of the police action was not included in the statement provided.
Chaudhury Alleges Restrictions on Movement in Delhi
Chaudhury further alleged that restrictions had been imposed on movement in several parts of Delhi during the protest. According to him, metro and bus services had been disrupted in certain areas, while people attempting to enter the national capital from outside had allegedly been stopped and sent back.
He claimed that the restrictions had created an atmosphere resembling a prison, expressing concern over what he described as limitations on the public’s freedom of movement and the right to demonstrate peacefully.
The Opposition leader also referred to the response of local residents during the incident. He said some people standing along Delhi’s roads had raised their hands in support of the protesters as they were being forced into vehicles, despite the rain.
The account presented by Chaudhury portrayed the detention as part of a broader dispute over the right to organise demonstrations and express political opposition. However, the specific grounds for the detentions and the official position of Delhi Police were not provided in his statement.
Left Leaders Vow to Continue Protest
Chaudhury maintained that the protest was part of a wider movement against what he characterised as the government’s authoritarian approach. He said the demonstrators would continue their struggle and organise further protests despite the reported detentions.
The participation of leaders from Tripura in the demonstration brought the issue into focus beyond the state, with representatives of Left political organisations and affiliated student, youth and trade union groups reportedly involved.
The incident also raised questions about the circumstances under which the protesters were detained, their destination after being taken away and the restrictions allegedly imposed on movement in the capital.
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As of the details provided in Chaudhury’s video message, no official response from Delhi Police regarding the allegations, the reasons for the detentions or the subsequent status of the detained leaders was available.
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The developments are likely to remain a point of political contention, particularly as Chaudhury has indicated that the Left organisations intend to continue their campaign through further demonstrations.
