Tripura CM orders probe against DM for 'misconduct'

Agartala: Tripura chief minister Manik Saha on Tuesday directed chief secretary JK Sinha to investigate the reported inappropriate behaviour of Gomati district magistrate Tarit Kanti Chakma towards TTAADC chief executive member Purna Chandra Jamatia and TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Sunday night.

Pradyot said Chakma declined to meet him despite multiple attempts to discuss an urgent matter concerning a remote tribal village. This situation has sparked strong political responses, with opposition groups criticising the civil servant and suggesting that bureaucrats are exercising excessive authority over elected officials.

"I have been calling him for a month, but he didn't have the courtesy to pick up the call, or to get back. Finally, we went to his quarters while returning from the village. He refused to meet us, and his security people told us that the DM advised us to meet him in the office with proper appointment, which is derogatory and a sign of arrogance," he said.

Upon returning from Delhi, the CMO confirmed that the CM called upon the chief secretary to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident and present findings promptly.

Opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhury denounced Chakma's behaviour, stating that both he and Pradyot had made numerous unsuccessful attempts to meet the DM. "They were compelled to go and meet him at an inconvenient hour because he refused to engage during official time. Yet, even then, he turned them away. At the very least, he could have asked them to come later. This reeks of British-era bureaucratic arrogance," Chaudhury said, mentioning his previous unfavourable interactions with the officer.

Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman expressed support for Pradyot, pointing to concerning signs of administrative overreach in the state.