Agartala: In a decisive move, the Tripura Government demolished the renowned Bharat Ratna Sangha social club, located in Usha Bazar on the outskirts of Agartala, on Wednesday. The club, once a pillar of the community, faced accusations of involvement in illegal activities such as land encroachment, smuggling, and tender manipulation.
West District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, told reporters that the Bharat Ratna Sangha club had been established on khas land (government land). After thorough demarcation and procedural compliance, the decision was made to clear the land to make way for future projects, including a Primary Health Care center.
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“We are sending a clear message that the Tripura government will not tolerate any involvement in criminal activities such as land mafias, smuggling, or tender manipulation,” Dr. Kumar stated.
“This aligns with our zero-tolerance policy. Although the club had a history of good societal contributions, recent findings revealed the involvement of both old and new members in criminal activities, prompting our action.”
The club had previously been supported by the administration for its positive social work. However, persistent allegations of serious crimes, including murder and extortion, overshadowed its reputation.
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In a notable incident on April 30, Durga Prasanna Deb, the former secretary of Bharat Ratna Sangha, was shot dead at point-blank range due to personal enmity.
Following the murder, Tripura Police arrested the prime suspect, Raju Barman, in Assam, along with seven other individuals connected to the case, including former club president Pradyut Dhar Chowdhury. The arrests of Birchakra Ghosh, Sandip Kar, and Rakesh Barman in Kolkata further underscored the extent of the alleged criminal network.
Dr. Kumar emphasized the government’s commitment to reclaiming approximately one acre of encroached land and transforming it into a public asset. “We are planning to open a Primary Health Care center on the site. Legal actions will be pursued against anyone found encroaching on government land,” he added.
The demolition of Bharat Ratna Sangha marks a significant step in Tripura’s crackdown on illegal activities and reinforces the government’s stance on maintaining law and order in the state.