Agartala, Aug 31: Proceedings in the Tripura Legislative Assembly were disrupted on Monday after Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman raised allegations surrounding an alleged suicide note linked to the death of former Director General of Police Anurag, triggering a fierce confrontation between the Opposition and the treasury benches.
The chaos led to suspension of the Congress MLA from the day’s proceedings after he allegedly delivered unparliamenmtary words to the Chair.
The situation escalated during Zero Hour when Roy Barman claimed that a suicide note allegedly written by the deceased police chief had gone missing from the scene of his death. He alleged that certain vested interests were attempting to influence the investigation and suggested that the circumstances warranted scrutiny by the Assembly.
Roy Barman also questioned statements previously made by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha in the House regarding the DGP's unnatural death.
According to the Congress MLA, the DGP's wife, who arrived in Tripura on Sunday, had sought the alleged suicide note and reportedly possessed a photograph of the document. Roy Barman claimed that the original note was no longer available at the place where the incident occurred.
The allegations immediately triggered an uproar in the House, with CPI(M) legislators backing the Congress MLA and demanding that the issue be taken up for discussion.
Speaker rejects demand, cites ongoing investigation:
Speaker Rampada Jamatia intervened and directed Roy Barman to stop raising the issue, stating that it could not be discussed as the Chief Minister, who is also the Leader of the House, had already made a statement regarding the death.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath challenged the Congress MLA to produce evidence to substantiate the allegations made on the floor of the Assembly.
The Opposition, however, refused to back down. Congress and CPI(M) legislators entered the well of the House carrying placards and posters, demanding that the alleged suicide note be produced before the Assembly.
The protest soon turned into a heated verbal confrontation between members of the ruling and Opposition benches, bringing normal proceedings to a standstill.
Cong MLA suspended after repeated warnings:
As the disruption continued, Speaker Jamatia issued repeated warnings to Roy Barman to leave the House following delivery of unparliamemtary words to the Chair. After three warnings, he announced the Congress MLA's suspension for the day.
The protests continued briefly even after the announcement. Watch-and-ward personnel surrounding the protesting legislators in the well were subsequently directed to escort Roy Barman out of the Assembly chamber.
Following his removal, all Opposition legislators staged a walkout in solidarity with the Congress MLA.
Roy Barman was also accused of using offensive language against the Speaker while leaving the House. Since the microphones had been switched off, the exact words could not be clearly heard, although his conduct drew strong criticism.
Congress MLA challenges allegations:
Speaking to reporters later, Roy Barman stood by his allegations and said he was prepared to resign as an MLA if his claims were proved wrong.
Speaker Jamatia, meanwhile, expressed strong displeasure over the Congress MLA's conduct and the language allegedly used against the Chair.
“Such an unparliamentary attitude is not acceptable,” Jamatia told reporters after the Assembly was adjourned for lunch, describing Roy Barman's remarks and behaviour as highly offensive.
The ruling benches maintained that the matter was under investigation and therefore should not be debated in the Assembly, while the Opposition insisted that the alleged disappearance of the suicide note raised serious questions that required clarification.