Agartala, October 19: The Youth Congress of Tripura, the youth wing of the opposition Congress party, staged a protest in front of the Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) office on Saturday, voicing concerns over rising communal violence, police atrocities, and custodial deaths in the state.
The protest comes in the wake of what the Youth Congress alleges is a failure by the state government and the human rights body to address these issues impartially.
The demonstrators highlighted the deteriorating law and order situation, particularly the increase in communal tensions across Tripura.
Youth Congress president Neel Kamal Saha, who led the protest, criticized Chief Minister Manik Saha for his silence on the matter.
“In recent times, there has been a disturbing rise in communal violence across the state, but the Chief Minister is busy attending public programs while ignoring the escalating tensions,” said Saha.
He accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using communal strife for political gain.
The protesters demanded that the THRC take suo motu cognizance of incidents where people are being targeted based on their religion, alleging that these acts are intended to sow communal discord and further political agendas.
“The Tripura Human Rights Commission should act independently and impartially, but its silence on key issues like communal attacks and police custodial deaths raises questions about its commitment to justice,” Saha said.
One of the main points of contention was the recent death of a tribal man, Badal Tripura, in police custody in South Tripura. Allegedly subjected to inhumane treatment, his death has sparked outrage across the state.
However, it may be mentioned that on Friday the THRC issued a notice to the Director General of Police (DGP) regarding the case, but Youth Congress leaders argue that more decisive action is required.
After the protest, a delegation of Youth Congress members met with THRC officials, including the chairman and secretary, to discuss their grievances. However, according to Saha, the officials offered only vague assurances, stating that “the law will take its own course,” which left the protesters dissatisfied.
Saha concluded by warning that unless the THRC and the state government take concrete steps to address these human rights violations, Tripura will continue to face rising communal tensions and police misconduct.
The Youth Congress has called for further protests if the THRC and the state government fail to act decisively in the coming days, vowing to stand up for the rights of citizens and hold the authorities accountable for lapses in justice and security.
