Botched Gun Salute at State Funeral of Tripura Assembly Speaker in Dharmanagar Exposes Training Lapses in Tripura Police
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, December 29, 2025
An embarrassing lapse by Tripura Police during a ceremonial gun salute at a state funeral in Dharmanagar has sparked widespread criticism and renewed concerns over training and discipline within the force. The incident occurred on Sunday during the last rites of former Assembly Speaker Bishwabandhu Sen, where police personnel were assigned to perform a three-volley gun salute as part of the official honours.
According to eyewitness accounts, the scene revealed a disturbing lack of coordination and basic drill proficiency among the police personnel. During the gun salute, different officers were seen holding their rifles in different and incorrect positions. In some instances, a fellow policeman had to step in from the side to correct the rifle posture of another. There were also moments when magazines were being changed at the last minute, indicating poor preparation.
More alarmingly, some personnel reportedly struggled to properly cock their rifles before firing. During the ceremonial firing into the air, observers noted that gunshot sounds did not emerge uniformly from all rifles, raising serious questions about both handling skills and weapon readiness.
The incident took place during a solemn state function at in Dharmanagar, where the late Speaker was accorded full state honours. A video clip purportedly capturing the flawed gun salute has since gone viral on social media.
Public reaction has been swift and mixed. While some onlookers reportedly reacted with nervous laughter, others expressed anger and deep concern. A section of observers made sharp remarks, alleging that if even police units assigned ceremonial duties become complacent or politically influenced, such situations are inevitable. Others drew comparisons with National Cadet Corps (NCC) training, pointing out that college students are taught proper gun salute procedures within just 15 days, questioning what kind of training police personnel receive over an entire year. Many called for immediate refresher and re-training programmes.
The incident has assumed greater significance in the backdrop of recent remarks by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha. Just a few days ago, while addressing a police event, the Chief Minister candidly admitted that nearly 50 percent of police officers and jawans in Tripura Police are physically unfit. He urged them to utilize their spare time for physical fitness, stressing that physical readiness is fundamental to effective policing.
In addition to fitness, the Chief Minister also underlined the importance of legal knowledge. He advised police personnel to regularly read law books, with particular emphasis on the three newly enacted criminal laws, popularly referred to as the Naya Sanhita. According to him, familiarity with these new criminal statutes is crucial for lawful enforcement, professional conduct, and public confidence in the police.
Observers believe the Dharmanagar gun salute episode is not merely an isolated ceremonial failure but a symptom of deeper structural issues, including inadequate training, lack of regular drills, and insufficient refresher courses. Many have argued that instead of dismissing the incident as a minor lapse, the state must treat it as a wake-up call to strengthen physical conditioning, weapons handling skills, ceremonial discipline, and legal education across the force.
As the video continues to circulate and public scrutiny intensifies, the spotlight is now firmly on whether the acknowledged gaps highlighted by the Chief Minister will translate into concrete reforms on the ground, ensuring that such lapses do not recur in events that carry both symbolic and constitutional significance.
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