Former Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik clashed with police near Nailahabari in Tripura after her vehicle was stopped at a barricade. The confrontation exposed internal rifts within the ruling BJP and raised questions over law enforcement actions after recent violence in Shantirbazar.
In a heated incident that underscored the growing tension within Tripura’s ruling party, former Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik on Saturday lashed out at police officers after her vehicle was stopped at a temporary barricade on the National Highway near Nailahabari, under the Ambassa sub-division.
The confrontation occurred while Bhowmik was travelling from Agartala to Dharmanagar to attend a scheduled programme in North Tripura. According to sources, police had apprehended that she might be headed toward Shantirbazar, where large-scale violence erupted during a bandh on October 23, prompting the administration to enforce strict law-and-order measures across Dhalai district.
Police Apprehension Turns Political
Police had reportedly installed the barricade as part of precautionary measures under Section 144 of the CrPC, which remains in force following the October 23 violence. When officers signalled Bhowmik’s convoy to stop, they inquired about her destination — a move that immediately provoked a strong reaction from the BJP leader.
Visibly angered, Bhowmik questioned the officers’ motives, saying,
“What a strange government you’re running! You are strange, and so are we!”
She continued her tirade, directly accusing the police of failing to perform their duties during the Shantirbazar incident.
“Where were you all during the violent incident at Shantirbazar in Kamalpur that day? Where was your bravery then? How many have you arrested so far? Do you lose your senses when you see a party worker?”
Her remarks, laden with frustration, reflected a deep sense of dissatisfaction with the functioning of the state’s law enforcement and indirectly hinted at internal dissent within the ruling BJP.
Clash Over Authority
When Additional Superintendent of Police (Dhalai) Uttam Banik explained that the order to stop her vehicle had come from “higher authorities,” Bhowmik reportedly shot back,
“Who is this ‘higher’? Who dared to stop a BJP leader’s car in a BJP-ruled state?”
Her question — rhetorical yet piercing — appeared to expose fault lines within the administration and hinted at underlying tensions between political leadership and bureaucratic control.
Despite her fury, ASP Banik maintained his composure, responding calmly that her anger was “a blessing.” But the situation clearly illustrated the strained relationship between political leaders and the police in a state still grappling with law-and-order challenges.
Political Implications Beyond a Barricade
The incident, though seemingly minor, has quickly evolved into a major political talking point. With prohibitory orders still in effect, police had set up multiple checkpoints to prevent any escalation of violence in sensitive areas. However, Bhowmik’s public outburst has transformed what was a routine security exercise into a politically charged controversy.
Observers note that the episode reveals an unusual friction between the political hierarchy and administrative machinery within Tripura’s ruling structure. Bhowmik, who was once considered one of the BJP’s most influential faces in the state and served as Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, has recently shown signs of political distancing and discontent.
Background: Tension After October 23 Violence
The Shantirbazar violence during the October 23 bandh had left several people injured and exposed simmering tensions between political groups in the region. The bandh, reportedly backed by the Tipra Motha, led to clashes in Dhalai and Khowai districts, prompting the imposition of Section 144 and heightened police vigilance.
In that context, the police’s decision to halt vehicles along key highways — including that of a prominent political leader — was part of a broader strategy to prevent further unrest. Yet, the way the encounter unfolded has now turned into a symbol of political mistrust and administrative miscommunication.
Aftermath
Following the heated exchange, the barricade was eventually lifted, and Bhowmik’s convoy was allowed to proceed to Dharmanagar. However, the episode has left behind significant political ripples, with many in the party privately acknowledging that such confrontations project an image of internal instability.
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The incident also raises larger questions about police neutrality, administrative control, and leadership discipline in a state where political and ethnic tensions have been rising in recent months. Whether this was an isolated outburst or a sign of deeper political cracks within the BJP remains to be seen.
