AGARTALA: A group of tribal leaders has urged Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu to take appropriate actions against a Head Clerk of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Shanti Bikash Chakma, who also serves as the State Secretary of the Tripura Rejyo Chakma Samajik Parishad (TRCSP), has been accused of repeatedly violating the Tripura Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1988, and the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
According to a memorandum addressed to the Governor Nallu, the leaders accused Shanti of violating Rule 21 of the Tripura Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1988, by solemnising a second marriage while having a living spouse.
He also allegedly joined the TRCSP, whose actions have been deemed prejudicial to “public order” by the Tripura High Court, as per judgments filed by Tarun Chakma and Purnamoy Chakma, violating Rule 6.
Additionally, despite being a government servant, he regularly organises press conferences and publishes interviews, breaching Rule 8 concerning connections with the press or radio.
“Even under the Chakma Customary Laws drafted by the TRCSP, second marriage with a living spouse is prohibited. The TRCSP regularly conducts trials of other Chakmas for violations of these so-called customary laws, and the General Secretary of the TRCSP himself should face inquiry for violating government rules on restrictions regarding second marriage,” stated Dil Kumar Chakma, one of the signatories of the memorandum.
The memorandum further alleged that social courts’ trials in Tripura are becoming a menace, causing governance issues.
“A head clerk of the TTAADC like Shanti Bikash Chakma can presently conduct trials of IAS officers from the community, including the Secretary to the Government of Tripura, for violations of these so-called customary laws. Whether government officers can conduct trials and pass orders that must be challenged before the High Court needs examination by the State government for proper governance,” said Thaithak Reang, another signatory.
The tribal leaders also accused Shanti of visiting Bangladesh in July 2022 and meeting with CHT writers, poets, and social activists of Khagrachari and Rangamati at Village Restaurant, Chittagong.
They urged the Tripura Governor to investigate whether it is within a TTAADC head clerk’s duties to make such representations to NGOs in a foreign country, as per the Foreign Contribution Regulations Act.
