On Monday, a delegation of Tripura Pradesh Congress leaders, including TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha and MLA Sudip Roy Barman, was stopped from entering Gandacherra. Their mission was to assess the situation in violence-affected areas and show support for the victims. Despite the administration’s assertions of normalcy, their refusal to allow opposition leaders to visit has raised concerns.
The police halted the delegation on the road, citing prohibited entry. Roy Barman expressed skepticism, stating, “The administration’s claim of normalcy contrasts sharply with the denial of access to elected representatives and leaders of opposition political parties.” He noted that they had received permission from the District Magistrate the previous night but were suddenly handed a paper stating they were not allowed to visit. Roy Barman argued that if the situation was truly normal, there should be no impediment to leaders visiting the area. He described the incident as a call for transparency and accused the police administration of being politically motivated and biased towards the ruling government.
Similarly, an opposition CPI(M) delegation, led by Leader of Opposition and MLA Jitendra Choudhury, was stopped from visiting Gandatwisa (Gandacherra) in Dhalai district. The delegation was halted near Amarpur in Gomati district due to prohibitory orders, according to Jitendra Choudhury. At a press conference, Choudhury stated that, despite having prior permission from the DM of Dhalai district, they were stopped by the police citing the imposition of Section 163 of the BNS Act. He questioned the legality of the police action and expressed disappointment.
Choudhury recounted arguing with police officers in Ambassa and mentioned that, under pressure, the DM of Dhalai district had the SP of security communicate with him. After several arguments, the delegation was compelled to leave the location and return to Agartala.
