Agartala: The Tripura Police arrested one person shortly after registering a case under the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The arrest followed the circulation of a viral video on social media showing a group of unruly youths hurling racial slurs at an on-duty traffic constable.
In an official statement issued through the West Tripura District Police’s social media handle, the department stated, “A video surfaced on social media showing a heated altercation between a traffic police officer and some members of the public. A specific case has been registered vide West Agt. PS Case No. 2024 WAG 117, U/S 132/351(2)(3)/3(5) of the BNS & Section 3(1)(r)(s) of the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Strict action will be taken against those involved. The public is requested to cooperate with the police in the greater interest of society. One person has been arrested, and the investigation is in progress.”
The incident occurred on Friday at Netaji Chowmuhani in Agartala, where two police officials assigned to traffic management engaged in a heated argument with three youths.
The accused reportedly hurled verbal abuses at the police constables and threatened them with dire consequences if any legal action was taken for their traffic violations.
One of the youths allegedly declared his affiliation with the notorious “Bike Bahini,” a motorcycle gang believed to have been involved in political violence and allegedly supported by the ruling BJP during the tenure of former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb.
The term “Bike Bahini” was popularized by opposition parties during Deb’s time in office, but it has lost relevance since the appointment of current Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, under whose leadership political violence has significantly decreased.
On Saturday, the traffic constable involved in the altercation, identified as Madhuharu Molsom, staged a dharna (sit-in protest) at Swami Vivekananda Maidan, seeking justice. Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) West Tripura, Dhruba Nath, rushed to the site and assured him that strict action would be taken.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of West Agartala Police Station, Paritosh Das, confirmed the arrest of one individual, identified as Deep Datta, and said, “We are searching for the others involved in the incident.”
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