"Historic Blunder: When Police allowed protesters to lock down Gomati DM Office in broad daylight
Jayanta Debnath
June 3, 2025
(A Future Case Study of Administrative Collapse Amid Political Pressure and Natural Disaster)
In what is now being described by many as a historic police blunder, the Gomati district administration witnessed an unprecedented event on June 2, 2025, when the office of the District Magistrate (DM) was forcibly locked down by agitating supporters of the Tipra Motha party, not in defiance of police presence but under their silent supervision. This shocking incident may well go down in the annals of Tripura’s administrative history as a moment when the state machinery willingly stepped back, allowing democratic norms to be trampled and constitutional sanctity to be mocked, all in the name of maintaining "peace."
The Background:The agitation stems from a political standoff between Tipra Motha supporters and the current District Magistrate of Gomati, T.K. Chakma, IAS, a son of the soil and a direct recruit of the prestigious UPSC civil services. The controversy began when Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma and Autonomous District Council (ADC) CEM Purna Chandra Jamatia were allegedly denied a night-time audience by the DM on a public holiday. From this personal grudge, the matter escalated to a mass-level agitation, with demands for the immediate removal of the DM.
Despite the Chief Minister's assurance that the matter would be investigated thoroughly and necessary action taken after receiving a report from the Chief Secretary J K Sinha, Tipra Motha leaders and supporters did not wait. Instead, they took the law into their own hands.
The lockdown and Police inaction: What unfolded next was both alarming and historically disgraceful. In broad daylight, and in the presence of senior police officers, CRPF personnel, and TSR forces, Tipra Motha’s unruly youth wing workers and supporters locked down the DM office in Udaipur, along with SDM and BDO offices across the district including Amarpur, Karbook, Silachari, and Killa. Shockingly, government employees and officers were locked inside, a scenario that in any democratic set-up would amount to criminal and wrongful confinement, obstruction of government duty, and criminal trespass under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police Justification: A symbolic blunder?
The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Gomati district, Namit Pathak, admitted on record that police deliberately did not intervene to prevent escalation. He claimed the blockade was “symbolic” and that avoiding confrontation was the strategic decision. This statement, while possibly made with an intent to prevent violence, may set a dangerous precedent for mob-led politics, where state institutions can be forcibly shut down by a group with enough numbers and noise.
“This is not just an incident of negligence. It is a moment when law enforcement became a spectator to mob justice,” said a retired bureaucrat in Agartala.
“Future generations will read this as a failure of both policing and governance.”
Legal Implications and Precedents: If this incident is not addressed with strict legal action, it may encourage similar future actions across the state and country. According to legal experts, the incident constitutes at least four criminal offenses under Indian new criminal laws:
Obstruction of public servants from discharging duties:Wrongful confinement Trespassing on government property Public disorder during a declared emergency situation (flood relief duty) in a democracy is punishable offence. The right to protest is legitimate but not sacrosanct as is not the right to obstruct, intimidate, or unlawfully detain public servants. Yet, what occurred in Gomati is not only an administrative failure but also an unlawful violation that was allowed to happen—with the police acting more as silent enablers than as protectors of law and order.
The Irony of ‘Thansa’ and Leadership:Even more ironic is the cultural and moral messaging behind this protest. Tipra Motha supporters vandalized images and nameplates of T.K. Chakma, who happens to be the only tribal UPSC-recruited IAS officer currently serving in Tripura as a District Magistrate. A product of hard-earned merit, his only “fault” appears to be that he did not grant an unplanned late-night meeting to a political leader.
“Is this the tribal pride that Tipra Motha wants to project—where a tribal officer is humiliated publicly by fellow tribals under the influence of political vengeance?” questioned a student leader from TTAADC area.
The so-called ‘Raj-rakta’ leadership of Tipra Motha has come under severe criticism for using tribal identity politics to settle personal scores, with some activists calling it an “embarrassing regression to feudal tactics.”
Broader Impact on Administration and Governance:This event has created a chilling effect across the state’s bureaucratic system. Officers, especially those from marginalized or indigenous backgrounds, are now feeling unsafe and politically exposed. Many young officers have expressed concerns over how a government servant, even one belonging to the local community, can be subjected to public humiliation and be locked up in his own office—with the police watching silently.
Will the Government Respond?
As of now, the Chief Minister has not issued a follow-up statement, and the Home Department remains silent. Civil society groups and political observers are closely watching whether the government will press charges, suspend the protesters involved, and hold police officials accountable for their inaction—or whether this shocking event will be allowed to fade away in silence.
A Moment That Will Be Remembered: The events of June 2, 2025, at the Gomati District Magistrate’s Office will remain a dark chapter in Tripura's administrative history. A moment when political muscle overpowered law, when the police surrendered their duty for convenience, and when democracy looked the other way.
Unless rectified now through lawful, transparent, and bold administrative action, this incident will serve as a case study of collapse—of accountability, of governance, and of courage.Let future generations read and remember: There was once a time when protesters locked down a District Magistrate’s office—while the police guided them on where to hang the chains.
YTF Demands Suspension of Gomati DM Within 7 Days, Warns of Statewide Agitation:
In a sharp escalation of political tensions, the Youth Tipra Federation (YTF), the youth wing of the Tipra Motha party, on May 3 night demanded the immediate suspension of Gomati District Magistrate T.K. Chakma, IAS. The demand was made at a press conference held at Chandra Mahal in Agartala, owned by the family of Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma.
"We are giving the government seven days to suspend the Gomati DM, failing which we will call a statewide bandh," warned YTF President Suraj Debbarma while addressing the media. He stressed that the youth wing will not remain silent if the demand is ignored.
"Earlier we asked for his transfer, but now we are demanding suspension. The Chief Minister’s reluctance to act is a direct insult to our community," said Suraj Debbarma, slamming the CM's attempts to settle the matter “amicably” without taking disciplinary action.
YTF leaders also expressed outrage over the DM's refusal to meet Tipra Motha head Pradyot Kishore Debbarma and ADC Chief Executive Member Purna Chandra Jamatia during a recent visit to Gomati district.
"This is a question of tribal dignity. The DM’s behavior and the government's silence are unacceptable, Suraj Debbarma declared. "If the suspension is not implemented within the deadline, it could lead to a political crisis. Even the fall of the government cannot be ruled out, he hinted.
In a clear signal of intensifying agitation, the YTF has framed the issue as a matter of indigenous pride.
"This is not just about one officer—it’s about respect for our tribal leadership. We are ready to launch a massive agitation across Tripura if our demand is ignored," Suraj Debbarma concluded, stating that the youth body sees this as a "prestige battle" for the indigenous population.
As of now, the state government has not issued any official response to the YTF’s ultimatum.
(Writer is a senior journalist and EditorTripurainfo.com)
(Tripurainfo)
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