Petition Challenging Bishramganj Nagar Panchayat Formation Yet to Be Registered in Tripura High Court

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, March 6, 2026

A petition reportedly filed in the Tripura High Court challenging the formation of the Bishramganj Nagar Panchayat in Sepahijala district has not yet been officially registered, according to information available with the district administration.

Sources in the district administration said they were informed by government lawyers on February 23 that the petition, though reportedly filed, had not yet been registered in the High Court. As a result, the administration has not received any formal notice from the court regarding the matter so far.

The petition was reportedly filed by three residents from areas under Charilam and adjoining localities of Bishramganj. The petitioners have been identified as Biting Debbarma of Ramnagar area, Uttam Kumar Debbarma of Barakabari area, and Salka Debbarma. They are understood to have approached the High Court raising objections to the formation and jurisdiction of the Bishramganj Nagar Panchayat and the inclusion of certain areas under the newly formed urban local body.

A senior official of the Sepahijala district administration stated that the government had followed all required legal procedures in establishing the Nagar Panchayat. According to the official, the proposal for creating the urban body was prepared and forwarded in accordance with relevant legal provisions and was subsequently approved by the Governor.

The government has already appointed a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman for the newly formed civic body, and necessary administrative and infrastructural arrangements have been put in place to enable the Nagar Panchayat to begin functioning.

Officials also clarified that the areas currently included under the Bishramganj Nagar Panchayat were previously part of rural panchayat jurisdictions where elections had been held during the last three to four panchayat election cycles. Representatives from these areas were earlier elected under the gram panchayat system before the areas were brought under the urban local body.

The administration further emphasized that the selection of areas for inclusion under the Nagar Panchayat was carried out after careful consideration. According to officials, no areas under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council have been included within the municipal jurisdiction.

Authorities also noted that once the civic body begins full-scale operations, it will become evident that ADC areas remain outside the boundaries of the Bishramganj Nagar Panchayat.

Officials added that residents of these areas have already benefited from various government welfare initiatives over the years, including employment opportunities and housing support under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and other development programmes.

Sources in the office of the Sepahijala District Magistrate said that while information suggests that a petition had been filed, the district administration has not yet received any notice from the High Court regarding the matter.

“I am aware that a petition was filed, but we have not received any notice from the Hon’ble High Court. I do not know the exact reason,” a source from the district magistrate’s office said.

more news...