Sabroom (Tripura): Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday acknowledged that his remark describing the Superintendent of Police of South Tripura as an “idiot” was inappropriate, saying it was made in a moment of anger during the confrontation over a CPI(M) programme at Chottakhola.
Addressing a press conference in Sabroom, Chaudhury said emotions had run high after police allegedly failed to respond to repeated requests for intervention during the incident.
“I was extremely disturbed. The Superintendent of Police did not answer my calls, and the SDPO was asking us to turn back. In that state of anger, I used the word ‘idiot’. It was not appropriate, and I accept that,” he said.
The Opposition leader also welcomed Chief Minister Manik Saha’s decision to publicly respond to the controversy, saying he appreciated that the Chief Minister had reacted within a day of the incident, regardless of the content of his response.
While admitting that his language was inappropriate, Chaudhury maintained that the government still needed to explain the circumstances that led to the confrontation.
He said the CPI(M) had organised a memorial programme after obtaining prior permission from the district administration to observe the second death anniversary of party leader Badal Shil, who was killed in 2024 after filing his nomination for the Zilla Parishad elections.
According to Chaudhury, despite the official permission, police intercepted his convoy nearly four kilometres before Chottakhola and prevented it from reaching the venue.
He further alleged that several vehicles carrying CPI(M) supporters were damaged in the presence of police personnel.
Recalling the events leading up to the programme, Chaudhury said he had alerted Director General of Police Anurag a day before the event about the possibility of trouble, citing an alleged incident involving former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar during the same observance last year. He claimed the DGP had assured him that adequate security arrangements would be made.
However, he alleged that after the convoy was stopped, his repeated attempts to contact the Superintendent of Police of South Tripura went unanswered. Although he later spoke to the DGP, he claimed the promised intervention did not materialise.
Chaudhury further alleged that after reaching Chottakhola market, a Deputy Collector advised him not to proceed to the venue, effectively preventing the programme from taking place.
Describing the sequence of events as a “pre-planned” attempt to obstruct the Opposition, the CPI(M) leader alleged that democratic rights had been curtailed.
“This is not democracy; it is hooliganism,” he said.
Seeking answers from the state government, Chaudhury posed three questions to Chief Minister Manik Saha. He asked whether the Chief Minister could categorically state that BJP workers had no role in the killing of Badal Shil, why a programme that had received official permission was ultimately prevented from being held, and why permission was granted in the first place if the administration was unable to ensure security and maintain law and order.