Agartala: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the Chief Secretary and Director General of Tripura Police to immediately take action against the Sub-divisional Police Officer, Officer-in-Charge of Ranir Bazar Police Station, and Officer-in-Charge of Jirania Police Station by removing them for not taking timely action during political violence.
The ECI has also decided to send three special observers, and they have been asked to proceed immediately to Tripura to take stock of the situation, ensure proper deployment of CAPF, intensify enforcement measures, and report back to the Commission.
On January 18, the All India Congress Committee in charge of Tripura, Dr. Ajoy Kumar, allegedly came under attack after a rally of the party reached Jirania in the West District.
Later, on January 19, ECI ordered an inquiry into the incident and asked the Chief Electoral Officer of Tripura to obtain a report from DGP Tripura through the Chief Secretary, of Tripura and submit the report by 3 p.m. on January 20.
Expressing displeasure, the ECI on Friday said the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Tripura, were asked to explain why the situation escalated despite a sufficient number of CAPF personnel being deployed in the state.
“The Commission has directed the CS and DGP to take stringent action against SDPO Jirania Sub-division by suspending or removing him, as well as action against the officer-in-charge of Rani Bazar Police Station and the officer-in-charge of Jirania Police Station by removing them,” the ECI order states.
The ECI has also directed CS and DGP to immediately assess the perceived threat to the leaders of various political parties in the state and provide security as per the threat perception without further delay.
“The Chief Electoral Officer, Tripura was directed to reiterate to the District Election Officers that permission should be granted to political parties on a first-come, first-served basis and to popularise the SUVIDHA App for disposing of applications from political parties for meetings, rallies, and roadshows,” the order states.
The Commission has also appointed three special observers and has been asked to proceed immediately to Tripura to take stock of the situation, ensure proper deployment of CAPF, intensify enforcement measures, and report back to the Commission.
The ECI report also stated that the Tripura Government report confirmed that Dr. Ajoy Kumar sustained minor injuries in an unlawful rally (the incident occurred in an area where permission was not granted by district authorities) and that it is not true that he received serious injuries.
