THRC seeks clarification from North Tripura DM over land allotment and rehabilitation claims involving the family of NLFT extremism victim Litan Debnath.
The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC), headed by Justice Arindam Lodh, has sought an immediate clarification from the District Magistrate and Collector of North Tripura over the alleged deprivation of land claimed by the family of a man who was abducted and killed by NLFT extremists in 2020.
The Commission registered Complaint No. 22 of 2026 on a suo-motu basis after taking note of a report published in a local daily newspaper on August 20, 2026, highlighting the hardships faced by Shipra Debnath, wife of late Litan Debnath, and her four children.
According to the newspaper report cited in the Commission’s order, Litan Debnath was allegedly abducted at gunpoint by extremists belonging to the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) on November 26, 2020. His decomposed body was reportedly recovered by police 49 days after his abduction.
The report stated that Litan was the sole earning member of his family, leaving behind his wife and four daughters following his death. The Commission expressed concern over allegations that Shipra Debnath had subsequently been deprived of property that was reportedly intended to be provided to her as part of compensation or rehabilitation measures following the killing of her husband.
Taking note of the report, the THRC sought reports from both the District Magistrate and Collector and the Superintendent of Police of North Tripura. While the Commission has received a report from the District Magistrate and Collector, it noted that a report from the Superintendent of Police had not yet been received.
The report submitted by the District Magistrate and Collector on August 21 was based on information obtained from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Panisagar. It stated that Shipra Debnath was living on rent with her four children at Damcherra Market.
According to the official report, the Block Development Officer (BDO), Damcherra, had forwarded Debnath’s request on May 24, 2021, seeking allotment of Plot No. 282 under Damcherra Mouja.
However, the Sub-Divisional Level Land Allotment Committee did not recommend allotment of the particular plot because it was located close to a village road. Despite this, the committee decided that another suitable plot would be allotted to Debnath.
The District Magistrate and Collector’s report further stated that the claim made in the newspaper report that 0.06 acres of land under Plot No. 282 had been allotted and handed over to Debnath in 2025, and that the land was subsequently encroached upon, was not supported by official records.
The report also informed the Commission that the SDM, Panisagar, had initiated necessary action for allotment of suitable land to Debnath. The matter, according to the report, is scheduled to be placed before the Sub-Divisional Level Land Allotment Committee in September 2026 for consideration.
Despite receiving the clarification regarding the official status of Plot No. 282, the Human Rights Commission said an important aspect of the matter remained unanswered.
The Commission observed that the report submitted by the District Magistrate and Collector did not specifically clarify whether Shipra Debnath and her children had actually been dispossessed from Plot No. 282, measuring 0.06 acres, as alleged in the newspaper report.
The THRC has therefore directed the District Magistrate and Collector of North Tripura to clarify the matter forthwith and provide specific information regarding the alleged dispossession.
The Commission has also decided to hear Shipra Debnath before taking further cognisance of the matter. It directed that a copy of the report submitted by the District Magistrate and Collector, along with the Commission’s order, be sent to Debnath so that she can submit her response.
The development has brought renewed attention to the rehabilitation and welfare of families affected by extremist violence in Tripura. The Commission’s intervention seeks to establish whether the victim’s family received the land or rehabilitation assistance reportedly intended for them and whether any subsequent dispossession occurred.
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The THRC has listed the matter for hearing on September 10, 2026. The Commission’s further proceedings are expected to depend on the response of Shipra Debnath, the clarification sought from the District Magistrate and Collector, and the report awaited from the Superintendent of Police, North Tripura.
The case remains under consideration before the Tripura Human Rights Commission, with the next hearing expected to shed further light on the family’s land and rehabilitation status.
