Days after TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma was allegedly denied a meeting with Gomati District Magistrate (DM) Tarit Kanti Chakma when he arrived at his residence without an appointment, Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Thursday that he had asked Chief Secretary J K Sinha to enquire into the issue.
“When I was in , the TIPRA Motha supremo called me and informed me about the incident, saying it was not a complaint. I told him that I would ask the chief secretary to enquire into the issue. Accordingly, after returning, I called the chief secretary and asked him to enquire,” Saha told reporters in Agartala.
Saha said that a delegation of TIPRA Motha leaders had met him over the issue on Wednesday. “I informed them that after confirming the details of whatever transpired, we will make sure that no one’s dignity has been compromised,” he said, adding that the incident might have occurred due to a “communication gap”.
“Such incidents should not happen. If it occurred, we will try to resolve this and ensure a cordial atmosphere in all places,” Saha added.
Chakma has yet to officially comment on the incident.
The alleged incident took place on Sunday when Debbarma, who had attended an event in South Tripura, was on his way to Agartala. En route, he stopped at Chakma’s residence in Udaipur. Debbarma was accompanied by Purna Chandra Jamatia, a chief executive member of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.
The duo were allegedly denied an audience by the security guards at the gate, after which Debbarma informed journalists that he had been trying to get in touch with Chakma over some administrative issues, but his phone calls went unanswered.
The issue sparked a controversy as Motha’s youth and student organisations condemned the incident and sought action against the DM, threatening to stage a strike at all government offices in Gomati district.
Went at 7 pm after I could not reach DM: Debbarma
Debbarma told that he had gone to visit DM Chakma at 7 pm on May 25 and was denied an audience. He said that he had first tried to get in touch with Chakma on April 10 this year over some administrative issues in Gomati district and was asked to text him over social media since he was at a meeting at the state guest house.
Debbarma said that he had made a series of texts and calls to Chakma, but except for a few in the beginning, he had failed to get a response. His number might have been blocked, he alleged.
“I did not come for any personal work. There were some issues in Ampi and other areas of Gomati district that I wanted to talk to him about. I have been trying to talk to him for one month. If he does not want to meet, what can I say?” Debbarma had said earlier.
