In a rather shocking instance, a large number of files, as per reports, were stolen from the Tripura police headquarter on Monday, August 15.
The Tripura police reportedly through a press communique on 16th August informed the media about at least 86 important case files being stolen from its headquarters in Agartala. As per statements made by officials on late evening of August 16 said, “Some bundles of files meant for weeding, destruction, as well as some dormant files lying in an isolated cabin were stolen/damaged by miscreants on the intervening night August 15 and 16. On the basis of an FIR lodged in West Agartala Police Station on August 16, most of the stolen files were recovered on the same day. Security is being reviewed to prevent any recurrence and necessary action is being taken for the security lapse,”
The Tripura branch of the congress party reportedly after the incident has demanded a strict investigation and a judicial inquiry to be done against it to nab the culprit.
Allegations made by Tripura Pradesh Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman today on a press meet regarding the incident claims that some police officers are involved in the incident whom he claims are close to the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party. He claims that its impossible without the assistance of police officials for anyone to enter the secured premises of the police headquarter and commit such a theft.
At least 20-25 of the 86 stolen files contained evidence and records of a few BJP leaders being involved in the smuggling of drugs in the state according to MLA Barman’s statement made in front of the media. Barman further also stated to the media that, “Some of the stolen files were also related to TSR recruitment scam.”
Asking for a judicial probe to be set up against the incident Barman said that, “This is a plotted story and if the government has the courage to take moral responsibility for the incident, it should immediately constitute a judicial inquiry panel led by a sitting High Court judge,”
Barman speaking to the media slammed Chief Minister Manik Saha and labelled him as a failed home minister under whose rule such a shameful incident of files being stolen from one of the highest security zone of the state occurred.
Former Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar too expressed his shock about the incident and urged CM Manik Saha to take the necessary corrective measures immediately.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, Sarkar wrote, “There is no reason to take this incident lightly. We feel a section of the administration has some vested interest behind the disappearance of the files. I don’t feel there is any reason to rule out a well-orchestrated conspiracy behind the whole incident.” Sarkar in the letter further added, “Being the Home Minister as well as the Chief Minister of the state, I feel you should hand over the responsibility of inquiry to some higher-level officials to come out clean. People of the state will wait for your response on the matter,”
The Tripura police so far has managed to arrest five people that it believes were involved in the crime.
