Youth Congress moves Tripura Human Rights Commission against CRPF Officer

The political fallout from the June 15 Youth Congress protest in Agartala intensified on Wednesday as a delegation of party leaders formally submitted a deputation to the Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC), demanding disciplinary action against a senior CRPF officer accused of misconduct during the demonstration.

The protest, organized by the Pradesh Youth Congress, had called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged corruption in the NEET examination, alongside grievances over rising prices and unemployment. The rally turned chaotic when security forces intervened, and video footage later surfaced showing Assistant Commandant Ram Kumar of the 140th Battalion CRPF allegedly using abusive language and ordering a lathi charge on activists, including women.

Speaking after Wednesday’s deputation, Youth Congress president Neel Kamal Saha condemned the officer’s conduct as “insulting to women power,” adding that while physical assault during protests is often tolerated, “the language used against women cannot be accepted.” He alleged that Ram Kumar ignored instructions from senior police officials present at the scene and appeared intoxicated while leading the charge.

The Congress delegation submitted video evidence and written complaints to the THRC, urging immediate disciplinary measures. “We respect the CRPF, but when individuals act like political agents, strict action must follow,” Saha said, stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right.

Earlier, senior Congress leaders including TPCC president Asish Kumar Saha had lodged a deputation with the DIG at Salbagan CRPF Camp, describing the incident as a “provocative and barbaric assault” on peaceful demonstrators. The party has given authorities 10 days to act, but with three days already passed, leaders expressed frustration at the lack of visible progress.

The CRPF DIG, IG, and senior police officials have assured the Congress of appropriate action, but the incident has sparked a wider debate on accountability of security forces and the protection of democratic rights in Tripura.

This latest deputation to the Human Rights Commission signals the Congress’s intent to escalate the matter institutionally, keeping pressure on authorities to deliver justice and restore public confidence in law enforcement.