Agartala: The opposition CPI(M) on Saturday reiterated its demand for a probe by a sitting High Court judge into the death of Tripura Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Dhankar, alleging that it had no confidence in the ongoing police investigation, and announced a statewide ‘Jail Bharo’ agitation on August 10.
Addressing a press conference after a two-day meeting of the party’s state committee, CPI(M) state secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury said the party would approach Governor N. Indrasena Reddy, seeking the constitution of a judicial inquiry into the death of the state police chief.
“We do not have confidence in the police investigation. We want a probe by a sitting High Court judge into the mysterious death of the DGP,” Chaudhury said.
He said the state committee paid tributes to party leaders who had died recently and also condoled the death of Dhankar.
The CPI(M) leader alleged that the law and order situation in the state had deteriorated and claimed that incidents of political violence and other crimes had increased during the BJP-led government’s tenure.
Referring to an incident on July 15, Chaudhury alleged that the police had prevented CPI(M) workers from holding a programme despite prior permission while allowing others to continue their activities.
He also alleged that senior party leader Sunirmal Das was attacked on Saturday and sustained fractures, while a party office in Belonia and a CITU leader in Kamalpur were targeted in separate incidents.
He further alleged irregularities in the implementation of infrastructure projects, claiming that several national highway projects had been delayed after contractors abandoned the work.
Citing discussions between NHIDCL officials and CPI(M) legislators during an inspection, he claimed that fresh work orders would delay the completion of some projects by another two to three years.
Chaudhury also alleged that rising electricity tariffs had increased the financial burden on consumers and claimed that unemployment had forced many youths to migrate outside the state in search of jobs.
Announcing the party’s future programmes, he said farmers’ and labour organisations affiliated with the CPI(M) would organise ‘Jail Bharo’ agitations in all subdivisions on August 10 over various public demands.
He said the party would also hold a mass gathering at Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala in September in connection with the state conference of the All India Krishak Sabha.
There was no immediate response from the state government or the police to the allegations.