Agartala: Police in Tripura have issued notices to two political leaders from different parties over alleged communal remarks, officials confirmed on Monday.
Both leaders have been directed to appear before the West Agartala police station by Tuesday.
One of those served notice is Gautam Buddha Debbarma, block president of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP) in Charilam, Sepahijala district.
In a video circulating on social media since Saturday, Debbarma is purportedly heard making inflammatory statements against the Bengali community, claiming they would be forced to leave Bishramganj.
He also invoked the name of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Debbarma while referring to land donations in the area.
Following the viral video, police registered a suo motu FIR against Debbarma on Sunday.
“A case under sections 196(a), 352, and 353(V) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been filed, and he has been asked to report at the police station by Tuesday,” said Rana Chatterjee, officer-in-charge of West Agartala police station.
The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.
The second case involves Amra Bangali leader Gauranga Rudrapaul, who led a rally in Agartala on August 30.
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During the event, Rudrapaul allegedly made provocative comments asserting that Bengalis in Tripura are “sons of the soil” rather than outsiders.
Police have booked him under the same sections of the BNS for remarks described as communal and hurtful to a particular community.
He too has been directed to appear before investigators.
“We have begun an inquiry, and legal action will be taken against both leaders based on their statements,” the officer-in-charge added.