A group of tribal leaders has sent a letter to the Governor of Tripura, Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, urging him to take cognizance of the alleged violations of the Tripura Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1988 by Shanti Bikash Chakma.
It has been alleged that the Head Clerk of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) has violated the rules by having a second marriage while his spouse was living in violation. He has also been accused of joining the Tripura Rejyo Chakma Samajik Parishad (TRCSP) which has been found to be prejudicial to “public order” by the Tripura High Court.
The letter further states that Shanti Bikash Chakma has regularly organized press conferences and published interviews even after being a government servant, which is a violation of the rule relating to connection with the press or radio.
The signatories of the memorandum include Dil Kumar Chakma and Thaithak Reang.
“Even under the Chakma Customary Laws drafted by the TRCSP, second marriage with a spouse living is prohibited. The Tripura Rejyo Chakma Samajik Parishad regularly conducts trial of other Chakmas for violations of the socalled customary laws and the General Secretary of the TSCSP himself ought to face inquiry for violations of the Government Rule on restrictions on second marriage,” said Mr Dil Kumar Chakma, one of the signatories of the memorandum.
The memorandum further states that the trials by social courts in Tripura are becoming a menace in Tripura and creating problems for governance. It has been alleged that the trials conducted by junior officials create fear among the senior officials and these trials can bring shame in the public.
The governor has been urged to direct the state government to issue a gazette notification stating that no public servant of the Tripura Government and the TTAADC government shall serve as member of community organizations which conduct trials under customary laws and take strict action against any officer who conducts such trials,” said Mr Thaithak Reang, another signatory to the memorandum.
The tribal leaders have also demanded that the state government investigate whether it is the proper task of the head clerk of the TTAADC to visit a foreign country and meet with CHT Writers, Poets and social activists.
Sanjit Debbarma, one of the signatories of the memorandum, said that if the state government does not take appropriate measures, the tribal community will approach the Tripura High Court. He said that in a country governed by the rule of law, anarchy in the name of customary law shall not be permitted to run amok.”