Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Asish Das on Wednesday staged a sit-in demonstration demanding West Tripura district magistrate Sailesh Kumar Yadav’s suspension for manhandling people at a marriage function.

The BJP MLA threatened to intensify his protest and continue the demonstration if the West Tripura district magistrate Sailesh Kumar Yadav is not put under suspension.

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The MLA staged the sit-in protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue located at the Circuit House in Agartala.

Das said he has given an ultimatum of 12 hours to the Tripura chief minister to put the district magistrate under suspension for the “autocratic” display of power by the administrative officer.

Also read: West Tripura DM apologises for manhandling people during marriage function

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“Seeking suspension of the autocratic DM, I have written a letter to Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb. I have given an ultimatum of 12 hours to take action against him. We have sat here today. We will see how long the CM does not suspend him. The dharna will continue if steps are not taken,” said the MLA.

On Tuesday, a group of five BJP MLAs, including Asish Das, wrote a letter to Tripura chief secretary Manoj Kumar to take immediate action against the district magistrate.

Also read: West Tripura DM draws flak for manhandling people at wedding party in Agartala

The BJP MLAs termed the DM’s behaviour as “boorish and uncultured”.

The MLAs pointed out that it was really undesirable and unacceptable from an official of such a stature to behave like this with people.

Speaking on the matter, BJP MLA Sushnata Chowdhury said, “The way the district magistrate behaved is not acceptable. He used filthy and slang words in front of children. This cannot be pardoned.”

Tripura chief minister Deb on Tuesday night sought a detailed report from chief secretary Manoj Kumar regarding the matter.

According to sources, the district magistrate was summoned by the chief secretary on Wednesday.

Reacting to the matter, Opposition leader and former Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar said, “The government should immediately remove Yadav from the post of DM and initiate inquiry into the matter.”

“I can’t understand as to how he is still in the position,” Sarkar said, adding, “It was an ugly display of arrogance and misuse of power.”