Tripura Assembly uproar over DGP Anurag's death enters third day; Congress MLA suspended
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Tripura Legislative Assembly on Monday, 31 August descended into uproar for the third consecutive day over the mysterious death of state Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag, whose body was discovered under unexplained circumstances in the washroom of his official chamber at the state police headquarters in Agartala on 20 July. The ongoing disruptions have paralysed the Monsoon Session, with the Opposition demanding accountability and the Speaker ultimately suspending a senior Congress legislator.
How the Day Unfolded
As soon as the House convened, former minister and Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman raised the DGP's death, disclosing that the officer's wife had arrived in Tripura on Sunday and was enquiring whether her husband had left behind a suicide note. Other Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) members immediately joined the protest, demanding a detailed government statement on the matter.
Despite repeated appeals by Speaker Ram Pada Jamatia to allow the scheduled Question Hour to proceed, the disruptions persisted. Opposition legislators led by Roy Barman and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury trooped into the Well of the House, raised slogans against the government, and displayed placards demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Manik Saha.
Congress MLA Suspended Under Rule 330
After the ruckus continued even past Question Hour, Speaker Jamatia suspended Roy Barman for the entire day under Rule 330 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Tripura Legislative Assembly, directing the Marshal and Watch and Ward staff to physically remove him from the House. Roy Barman subsequently alleged that his suspension was unlawful and that he had been penalised for raising what he called a vital matter of public concern. Following his removal, the entire Opposition walked out of the Assembly.
What the Government Has Said
Chief Minister Manik Saha had made statements on the DGP's death on both the first and second days of the session. On the opening day, he told the House that the state police had launched an extensive investigation into the death of the senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. He confirmed that the probe was being closely monitored by Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Manchak Ipper and that the investigating team had already visited Delhi in connection with the case.
'The team would examine the post-mortem and forensic reports, digital evidence, mobile call records, various electronic devices, CCTV footage, documents and other relevant materials to ascertain the circumstances and reasons behind the DGP's death,' Saha told the House. He added: 'If anyone is found to have committed any illegal act in connection with the DGP's death, strict action would be taken as per law,' urging all parties to avoid speculation until the investigation concludes.
Opposition Alleges Cover-Up
Both Roy Barman and LoP Chaudhury alleged that the government was actively suppressing facts related to the DGP's death. The Opposition's demand for a fuller accounting — including details of the circumstances in which the body was found — has gone unanswered beyond the Chief Minister's broad assurances. This is the third straight session day on which the Assembly has been unable to conduct normal business owing to the standoff, a pattern that underscores the political weight the case now carries in Tripura.
What Happens Next
With the investigation ongoing and forensic and post-mortem reports yet to be formally placed before the House, the disruptions are unlikely to ease unless the government offers a more substantive update. The DGP's wife's presence in Agartala and her reported queries about a suicide note add fresh urgency to a case that remains, according to officials, under active investigation.